Playoffs Round 1 Predictions

Paper Rex (2) vs Guild (1)
This is gonna be a crazy match that could go either way. Guild plays a slow methodical playstyle that shut down yay, but will they be able to counter Paper Rex's fast aggressive style. They did have some trouble against KRU who are decently aggressive but way less than PRX. With f0rsakeN having Covid, this might be a little bit tougher for PRX but I think they are definitely ready to face an EMEA team because that's where their style works the best. Both teams will be playing without pressure, so it will be a great match for sure. Whoever's stars (Leo/Trexx/Sayf or Jinggg/f0rsakeN) can get going will push their team across the finish line. And whichever's more lackluster players can rise to the occasion. And my bet is on d4v41, mindfreak and benkai moreso than Russ and koldamenta.

FNATIC (2) vs FPX (1)
With Suygetsu, FNC will win 2-1 or 2-0. With Seider, FNC will win 2-0. I just really don't see the Shao/ardiis & friends get by such a great team in Fnatic. 4/5 of their team have LAN experience but even if Alfajer is nerfed on LAN, the rest of the team can easily pick up the slack. FPX looked really iffy during groups and with I think Fnatic will have no problem beating them with such a long time to prepare and since they are facing a familiar EMEA opponent. If FPX wants to win, they are going to have to play a much cleaner and team effort game.

DRX (2) vs Leviatan (0)
Apologies, since I don't know much about Leviatan, but I don't have very high hopes for LATAM. Also, DRX has looked really good so far in this tournament and definitely much better than last Masters. They are entering these playoffs with something to prove for sure and I think skillwise they just outmatch any LATAM team. However, LATAM plays a more aggressive style, and DRX plays a more calculated, slow, stratty style. Leviatan pulling off an upset would have to rely on throwing DRX off their game and messing up their mental. However, DRX has looked way better with adaptation and bouncing back, so this one goes to DRX.

OpTic (2) vs XSET (0)
An in form OpTic is going to mop the floor with a first time LAN XSET. In a domestic matchup like this, the game will go to the more experienced team, like we saw last Masters when OpTic beat The Guard. I also think The Guard back then was better than XSET now. OpTic also just looks way better. Victor on Neon has been insane, crashies has had huge impact, Marved has made a case for best in the world, FNS fragging power has surged, and even an underperforming yay is better than half of XSET. I just think XSET, especially with first time nerves and inexperience, doesn't have enough firepower to overcome OpTic, not this time. Also, I want to see BCJ lose; that guy annoys me.

W explanations

But FNC will 2-0 for sure I feel like

They 3-0d fpx in Emea finals

W

Drx lost in a scrim to leviatan. That might be bad for their mental, hopefully it doesnt mean anything tho.

Ultimate6989 [#2]

W explanations

But FNC will 2-0 for sure I feel like

They 3-0d fpx in Emea finals

Yeah but really close maps overall so idk, also fpx are going to avoid icebox so it might be even closer.

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I personally think
Guild 2-1 PRX
I think the slow and methodical approach can counter the all out attack style of PRX)

Fnatic 2-1 FPX
Fnatic bested FPX 3 out of 3 times in EMEA challengers 2, and I think it will happen once again. FPX have only beaten Fnatic on Ascent (both times), as Fnatic were the best in Europe at Bind, Haven, Split, Icebox, and Fracture (Breeze is there permaban).

DRX 2-0 Leviatan
I think DRX will just outclass Leviatan, especially without Leviatan's MAIN coach. Not too sure tho Leviatan could definitely win

OpTic 2-1 XSET
Optic and XSET will trade wins (optic won 1st, xset won 2nd, optic won 3rd). Along with this Optic's performance against kru was very convincing. Should be a good NA Rivalry

Cresp [#4]

Drx lost in a scrim to leviatan. That might be bad for their mental, hopefully it doesnt mean anything tho.

scrim results usually mean very little, like at Masters 1 the streets were saying Zeta was getting destroyed so badly in scrims they got blacklisted unless that was some bs from plat chat

PRX 2-0 Guild
f0rsaken and jingg smeag but it's tactical and davai and benkai clutch the important rounds

FNATIC 2-1 FPX
Alfajer Fearoth Derke too good even tho FPX has monster players but FNATIC will 2-0 if Suygetsu doesn't play

Leviatan 2-1 DRX
Def not hopium. DRX smashes Leviatan first map but Tacolilla and kingg eats them alive on last two

OpTic 2-1 XSET
just LAN experience

V0sotros [#8]

scrim results usually mean very little, like at Masters 1 the streets were saying Zeta was getting destroyed so badly in scrims they got blacklisted unless that was some bs from plat chat

Yeah i know but for a team as fragile as drx, and as good at scrims as drx, it might be a little decimating going in with a loser’s mentality. Notice that they do good against apac because they are already confident against them because they constantly scrim them.