Top spot up for grabs as Bengaluru Bulls take on U.P. Yoddha

Three of the game’s greatest raiders will feature in vivo Pro Kabaddi’s doubleheader on Sunday.

In the first game, the Puneri Paltan will take on Maninder Singh and the Bengal Warriors and later, Pawan Sehrawat and the Bengaluru Bulls will be up against Pardeep Narwal and the U.P. Yoddha.

Check out our preview for both matches:

Match 43: Puneri Paltan vs. Bengal Warriors

The Puneri Paltan have won just two out of seven games this season but have reasons to be optimistic about their upcoming matches. Corner duo Baldev Singh and Vishal Bhardwaj are finding their rhythm, while the raiding unit has just been handed a huge boost with the return of Nitin Tomar. The Paltan are close to finding the right balance and results may soon follow.

The Bengal Warriors have had a rough start to their title defence. They have lost four of the seven games they’ve played this season and are currently eighth on the points table. Outside of skipper Maninder Singh and Mohammad Nabibakhsh, the team has been inconsistent, especially on defence. They are averaging only 8.57 tackle points per game, which ranks ninth in the league, and have conceded the most points. Coach BC Ramesh will want his defence to play much better going forward.

Puneri Paltan vs. Bengal Warriors head-to-head

Puneri Paltan have played 14 games against the Bengal Warriors and have won six, losing seven. One game between the two teams finished in a tie.

Match 44: Bengaluru Bulls vs. U.P. Yoddha

The Bengaluru Bulls are soaring this season and find themselves third on the points table, just three points behind league-leaders Dabang Delhi K.C. Pawan Sehrawat and Chandran Ranjit have been spectacular on offence, while the defence is statistically one of the best in the league. With the team in great form on both fronts, the Bulls will be favourites to win most games they play this season.

U.P. Yoddha’s winless streak extended to five games on Saturday, as they succumbed to defeat against Dabang Delhi K.C. U.P. now sit 10^th on the points table. The defence and raiding unit are struggling to find consistency. Pardeep Narwal has managed only two Super 10s in seven games, a poor return from the Record-Breaker. U.P. Yoddha are slipping fast on the points table and if they don’t start picking up wins, they could leave themselves a mountain to climb to make it to the playoffs.

Bengaluru Bulls vs. U.P. Yoddha head-to-head

Through nine matches, Bengaluru Bulls hold a 6-3 lead over U.P. Yoddha in their head-to-head clashes.

PKL Schedule for Sunday, January 9

Match 43: Puneri Paltan vs. Bengal Warriors, 7:30 PM IST

Match 44: Bengaluru Bulls vs. U.P. Yoddha, 8:30 PM IST

Where to watch vivo Pro Kabaddi live?

Catch all the LIVE action from vivo Pro Kabaddi Season 8 on the Star Sports Network and LIVE streaming on Disney+Hotstar.