AMERICAS:
G2 and NRG
EMEA:
M8s and VIT
APAC:
TLN and GenG
CN:
EDG and NOVA
G2 i agree with, NRG no off their latest performance.
VIT maybe but more likely FUT, TH instead of M8 for sure, M8 looked mediocre at best and that was against the weakest team in the region next to KOI and TL.
TLN hasnt done anything besides win one match since primmie joined, they could do more then win one match but they arent making a LAN without changes, PRX instead. Nongshim instead of GENG cuz im a believer.
EDG for sure, Nova i have my doubts I think trace will go instead.
NRG was clearly an off day. they will prove all the doubters wrong watch.
Apeks are not even close to as bad as koi or liquid they actually have good macro just 0 firepower on that team besides flor and m8s are really impressive imo especially for how much inexperience is on that team if they catch heretics on an off day they are going to the moon.
bro talon made a roster move literally just before champs they were never going to be great for champs.
trace is the only other contender imo but the confidence nova are about to get from beating the brakes off of drg and then fpx will be too much imo and their bind is soooo good bro.
NRG I want to agree with but loud is looking stupid good rn and G2 has one of the best possible teams in the world in theory, swapping their one weak point last year out for one of the best duelists in the world (i personally believe jawgemo is top 3 duelists only behind kangkang and maybe zekken)
Apeks are definitely worse then TL, we will see how KOI does but I thought KOI would look better tbh. M8 is not a bad team on paper, although id have liked to see zyppan on duelist in this meta with how good raze/neon is. Still think you really cant put anyone over TH/FUT in emea despite not having seen them play this year, they are just too consistently good from last year and unlike FNC from 2023-2024 TH and FUT actually have younger players that can adapt to metas a lot quicker. Again vitality on paper is good but i just have major doubts, maybe they win one more match in lower bracket or something but thats it for kickoff.
TLN made a roster change back before champs and that was the best theyve looked since then lmao, they will probably beat GE but thats about it. Primmie is good but governor shouldnt be on a pro team imo, he barely played tier 2 NA back in the day. Crws and jitboys have looked mediocre their entire careers and ban was a solid player when he was duelist for T1 and thats it.
Why would nova get confidence from beating DRG? DRG is looking like a bottom middle of the pack CN team this year, beating them is nothing special for nova. Trace/EDG is the most likely outcome unless FPX get their groove from early 2024 back.