StarLadder ImbaTV Dota 2 Minor Season 3
Match 1: Alliance vs NoPing e-sports
Alliance Carry, Nikobaby
There is no question in any bodies mind that Alliance is not only favored in this series, but also for the whole tournament. Having beat Nigma and Team Liquid to earn this spot in the Minor, the expectation is a clean 2:0. That being said, I would be doing NoPing a disservice by not mentioning the fact that they had recently competed and won the Brazilian tournament CBDota 2, against familiar face PaiN Gaming, without dropping a single map. Going 17-0 in games. Though I don’t think the South American scene could justifiably be compared to the European scene, I wouldn’t be too surprised if my underestimating of NoPing gets thrown in my face.Prediction: 2:1 for Alliance
Match 2: Gambit Esports vs CR4ZY
Gambit Captain, fng
I’ll start off by saying as a Canadian, and fan of Fighting PandaS, all predictions involving CR4ZY will have a bias that I cannot check. The team is by far the most unknown in terms of form. They have had the ability to focus on their gameplay more than ever during their last bootcamp, thanks to the acquisition by CR4ZY. Aui_2000 has even stated that with the new roster there is much less butting of heads, and they seem to be more uniform than with their previous roster. skiter is a strong addition to the team, and Khezu is a very knowledgeable player looking to prove his worth. Gambit on the other hand is consistent. They have been able to perform well in the past, at least in the group stages. With gpk back playing mid, its hard to say where he is at mentally, having been benched due to refusing to practise with the team before. I doubt this will be the only time we see this match up, but with home field advantage, the first round will most likely go to the home team.Prediction: 2:1 for Gambit Esports
*Match 3: Alliance vs Gambit Esports
(* indicates match not confirmed)
Now that both teams have had a feel for the competition, both off well-deserved wins, which ever team capitalizes on the momentum will most likely come out on top. At this point, Alliance is currently running of a strong win streak, beating OG.Seed, Aggressive Mode, Team Liquid, Nigma, and most recently NoPing. Though not a flawless run, the team seems to have a strong understanding of what it takes to triumph against the best in the world. Alliance has only lost 8 of their last 23 sets. Impressive, but 1 of those 8 was against Gambit at the ONE Esports Dota 2 World Pro Invitational Singapore. Additionally, Gambit has only lost 9 of their last 23 sets. Both within the same time frame. No matter the result, the games will be spectacular to say the least.
Prediction: 2:1 for Alliance
*Match 4: NoPing e-sports vs CR4ZY
NoPing's tavo
Personally, I think EternaLEnVy is a great player and from my experience a very nice, helpful human being. With that out of the way, he tilts. Which bodes well for CR4ZY no longer having him on the roster. The loss against Gambit will likely not impact the mentality of the team like it used to. Aui_2000 seems to have a strong enough grip of the team to prevent them from bombing out of the group stage. Though NoPing has strong potential, North American teams seem to have a strong grasp on how to defeat South American teams. This season NA has a perfect record against SA apart from beastcoast, who continually surprise everyone with their performance. Unfortunately, I feel the “come at you” play style SA displays, is something CR4ZY will be more than prepared for, resulting in the most lack luster series of the group.Prediction: 2:0 for CR4ZY
*Match 5: Gambit Esports vs CR4ZY (Rematch)
TI5 Champ, Aui_2000
In much of my analysis of Group B, I have talked about momentum. NoPing 17-0 in Brazil. Alliance continuing their win streak. Gambit feeling the home advantage. But the ability to make comebacks, with Aui_2000 having the right mentality as a captain, will make or break CR4ZY. This season only 42% of those who won the first elimination match, were able to secure the second and get out of their group. Aui_2000 and team have only past the group stages after losing their first series. Gambit on the other hand is the opposite, only advancing past the group stages after taking first in their group. The exception being the WePlay! Dota 2 Tug of War: Mad Moon, which fell under a different format all together. The series will be a nail biter, but I’ll let my bias do the talking.Prediction: 2:1 for CR4ZY
#TLDR Prediction
StarLadder ImbaTV Dota 2 Minor Season 3 - Group B
SLi Minor Predictions
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