UP Yoddha are meeting U Mumba in their final encounter in the Pro Kabaddi Season 8 group stage on Thursday at Sheraton Grand, Whitefield in Bengaluru.

While UP Yoddha are currently perched at the third spot in the PKL standings with 63 points, they are yet to qualify for the playoffs. The top six teams on the table will make that cut.

U Mumba are currently at the ninth place on the table with 53 points, but despite their position, they still have a chance of making the PKL playoffs.

The Yoddha recently came off a thumping 44-28 victory over Dabang Delhi KC, while U Mumba lost to Jaipur Pink Panthers with the same scorecard.

“Every player performs with better enthusiasm when we win with such a big lead,” UP Yoddha captain Nitesh Kumar said. “It is definitely a confidence booster.”

Players to watch out for - UP Yoddha

After not appearing in the starting seven for a match, Pardeep Narwal has roared back to form and how! He has scored 50 raid points in the last four games, including two 14-point matches.

Pardeep now has 160 raid points in PKL 8, and sits second only to Surender Gill, who has 175 raid points. The two top raiders of UP Yoddha have eight super 10s each.

Corner defenders Sumit and Nitesh have ensured UP Yoddha’s defence has not been compromised. Sumit has 53 tackle points and Nitesh has 50. They have three and two high 5s respectively.

Players to watch out for - U Mumba

Abhishek Kumar has been the team’s top raider with 172 raid points and has found immense support from V Ajith Kumar, who has 143 raid points. They have seven and five super 10s respectively.

Rinku has been U Mumba’s top raider with 55 tackle points and three high 5s in PKL 8. Captain and Iranian star Fazal Atrachali has 46 tackle points and two high 5s in the ongoing season.

UP Yoddha vs U Mumba head-to-head

Before Thursday’s match, UP Yoddha and U Mumba have faced off in seven encounters. They have won three apiece and one match has resulted in a draw.

The most recent encounter between the teams happened earlier in Pro Kabaddi Season 8. UP Yoddha and U Mumba drew the game at 28-all. Ajith Kumar top-scored with nine raid points, followed by eight for Surender Gill.

Recent form

UP Yoddha - W, L, W, W, W

U Mumba - L, L, W, L, W