I believe this time it will be much closer than it was in the last stage, I believe NIP can win a map or two.
They are running Neon on everything and LOUD seems to be wanting to leave Split and Fracture open for opposing teams to pick, Less said something on a podcast that they wanted to try playing these maps more often in tournaments, to gain competitive experience on them, I see the map pool as follows:
Ascent: LOUD>>NIP (LOUD is top 1 or 2 itw on that map)
Bind: LOUD>>>NIP (Is NIP permaban)
Breeze: LOUD>NIP (LOUD seems very strong with Less playing Chamber and Aspas Jett rn, Pancada is anchoring B with Viper)
Fracture: LOUD>NIP (I would say these days LOUD seems to have fixed this map, they were dominant on the group stage but historically it is a good NIP map and they have improved the composition running Neon and Breach now, despite that LOUD has a Neon comp counter with Sage so I would give them advantages here, but NIP can win)
Haven: LOUD>NIP (LOUD is better but NIP definitely can match, they are playing Neon and Kayo here, isnt ideal without Breach, but they have good execs, LOUD comp is still better imo)
Icebox: LOUD>NIP (LOUD didn’t play Icebox since Iceland, their comp is good but NIP brought a new idea to play this map, the adaptation of LOUD can be slow, it's a good map for them but Icebox is a less tactical map and favors duels, NIP like it)
Split: LOUD<NIP (LOUD played two Splits on this stage and still didn't convince me, they seem a little lost on the CT side but they have a strong T side, NIP plays very aggressive in the attack and they do at least 6 rounds, I would say that NIP is currently definitely better on this map and have greater competitive experience)
What do you guys think about this matchup?