StarLadder ImbaTV Dota 2 Minor Season 3
Match 1: business associates vs forZe eSports
TI5 Champ, Fear
North America’s business associates have the advantage of being relatively unknown in terms of recent performance outside of the qualifiers, as they haven’t competed much this year. forZe eSports on the other hand has several games their opponents could study within the various non-DPC CIS leagues. Having been able to take a series off of CIS juggernaut VP since the qualifiers, it shows the team can perform in top form. That being said, more recently they have also lost series against the newly acquired Winstrike Team and Aggressive Mode, who have not looked to be in top form themselves. With business associates having the stronger LAN experience, I believe they are at a strong advantage for this series.Prediction: 2:0 for business associates
Match 2: Team Aster vs BOOM Esports
TI7 Runner-up, Sccc
Team Aster is by far the favorite in the group, and with the recent acquisition of former PSG.LGD coach QQQ, assisting in the preparation, and Dota 2 veteran LaNm as substitute coach for this event, this team will most likely show the strongest form. Not to discredit BOOM Esports, having defeated TNC Predator and Reality Rift to make their first DPC LAN of this season, they have yet to prove anything more than the varied success within their own region. Additional in Team Aster’s favor, they have only lost to one SEA team this year, with a 0:4 record against Fnatic, who many would say are much stronger than BOOM Esports. As the main common denominator between the two teams, this roster of Fnatic has never lost a series to BOOM Esports, thus I lean to Team Aster to take the victory.Prediction: 2:0 for Team Aster
*Match 3: Team Aster vs business associates
(* indicates match not confirmed)
Last time these two teams met was the ONE Esports Dota 2 World Pro Invitational Singapore. Having been both in the same group, they went 1:1. In a group of some of the best teams in the world including VP, Team Secret, and TNC Predator, they both were unable to make it to the bracket stage, taking the bottom 2 spots. Since then, Team Aster was able to compete in the previous Major, the DreamLeague Season 13, only being able to secure 2 series, one against TNC and a Bo1 against Chaos Esports Club. Though much of this series will be more dependent on whether business associates are in strong form, knowing how North American teams like to impress in the group stages, and how momentum based they are, I will slightly favor NA in this match.
Prediction: 2:0 for business associates
*Match 4: BOOM Esports vs forZe eSports
BOOM Esports Captain, Khezcute
Having no data between these two teams even playing one another, and relatively no data between them playing at LANs against international teams, this prediction will be based on external factors more than anything. When looking at the qualifiers, BOOM Esports had the advantage of playing against a lack luster TNC Predator, and seemingly had Reality Rift’s number. Everything about their qualification showed a strong understanding of their competition within the region. forZe eSports on the other hand showed determination as they only qualified by a thin margin, having lost to Gambit Esports in a 2:1 series, and took the victory over Cyber Legacy 3:2. They also have the home field advantage. As stated previously they recently took a series off VP, though lost to Winstrike team. With the crowd cheering them on, I think this small factor may be all forZe need to keep their spirits high and take the series.Prediction: 2:0 for forZe eSports
*Match 5: forZe eSports vs Team Aster
forZe Captain, 633
Though momentum will be on the side of forZe eSports, and the crowd as well, I can’t imagine Team Aster choking this early in the competition. Chinese teams have always shown resilience to tilting and tend to take advantage of their losses to improve in following series. Team Aster still holds a top 12 position within the DPC, and as it is their first time this season not qualifying for the Major, the expectations from their fans will be more than enough to keep their performance at a top tier.Prediction: 2:0 for Team Aster
#TLDR Prediction
StarLadder ImbaTV Dota 2 Minor Season 3 - Group A
SLi Minor Predictions
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