The Elimination Stage of The Shanghai Major will start shortly. The first gameday is full of banger matches, let’s pick some of them and make a preview and a couple of predictions.
G2 vs The MongolZ
Prediction: The MongolZ to win the match.
The main point to believe in The MongolZ here is an incredible form they have hit in The Opening stage of The Shanghai Major. If they can keep it, then all their opponents are in big danger.
Moreover, playstyle with much freedom which G2 use, should be comfortable enough for The MongolZ and their vision of the game with a lot of aggression and many set rounds and moves.
Map doesn’t really matter here as for me, i believe it’s all about how the teams will start the match.
I believe The MongolZ will bring a lot of problems to G2.
Heroic vs BIG
Prediction: Heroic to win the match.
In the previous match Heroic have fallen to BIG pretty quickly, but i believe now is a different story. Heroic is pretty annoying team to play against, but what’s important for the European squad in this match is to get a good map for them.
Which map is good?
Anything except BIG homegrounds – Ancient and Dust2.
If Heroic don’t mess the veto, it should be an easy walk for them.
Vitality vs GamerLegion
Prediction: Vitality to win the match.
I think this is the best-of-1 game with low level of upset potential. Vitality recently met GamerLegion in the RMR (13-8 for Vitality, Inferno).
I don’t see any reason why this match could end in favor of GL, even they are in good shape. It would be a clash of teams with a similar playstyle, the difference here is: class and the individual level of players, both of which favor Vitality heavy.
NAVI vs Liquid
Prediction: NAVI to win the match
To be honest, this is a very 50-50 match. I would say that mappool is heavily on NAVI’s side, but if we take a look from another point of view, Natus Vincere often have a slow start in tournaments.
However i believe that there’s a high upset potential by Liquid, my bet goes for Natus Vincere as i think such high-structured and high-disciplined team will save and transfer their form from RMR to the Major.
Cover Image: ESL. Image credit – PGL.
