Oh wait it was a bo5 lmao i didn't pay enough attention ig.

KRU beats Leviatan with Aspas? Fat chance imo

It's 1-0 TYL right now, and all I have to say is that... RA looks like a completely different team. In a bad way. Idk what they're doing, but taking uncessary fights post plant isn't the way to go. Also, what are those whiffs?

As of the moment, they're doing the funny

Bro it seemed to me that on Bind, BLG just couldn't get any momentum at all.

So it may seem. Good luck to the both of us!

It's obviously Team Liquid

It's like the Derby della Madonnina but in Shanghai Valorant. Two Chinese giants go up against each other in what looks to be another addition to the EDG - BLG history books. Right now, EDG stands supreme with 5W - 0L in their last five games. Their map W/L is at an astounding 13/2, and I expect similar form from EDG. I think that while EDG has shown improvement in their previous games, be it against RNG, RA, DRX, or even C9. BLG on the other hand, had a slump period where Levius just couldn't replace the skill Yosemite provided for the team. This caused some unnecessary losses and some unbelievably disappointing performances from almost everyone on the team, even whzy sometimes.
With that being said, they've been looking better as of this point in the tournament, and I hope to see both EDG and BLG improve upon their strategies and abilities from the Champions encounter. Overall, I'm expecting an Ultra-super-mega-uber-giga-ginormous banger of a match and I hope that we will all be entertained to the maximum extent of earthly dopamine levels.
To conclude, I think it'll be a pretty dominant 2-0 EDG win. Sorry (not really) BLG. But they could still win a map if they (BLG) feel like it.

I think I'm going to have to go with TE here. As much as I'd like to say that I've really enjoyed watching RNG these past tournaments, I've got to hand it to TE on just how good they are at so many things. I know that's quite the vague statement, but I really don't know what else to say. Flex1n is great, FengF is phenomenal, and as much as I like watching SWERL and Minimise play, I just don't know if they'll be able to tip the series their way. 2-1 TE victory but I'm expecting a well-fought series from RNG.

I think we should just explain xiaonuo's performance as a bad day tbh. We all have days where we don't perform well and when it's against one of the world's top teams, it's even harder to get the results you want. Watching RNG's previous games, I really thought that xiaonuo was one of their better players alongside Minimise and SWERL, and it really saddened me to see what happened today.

What an absolutely dominating display from BLG on Breeze. Idk why but I didn't see rin on Harbor coming beforehand.

Hmmmmmm. I may not follow ASE very closely, but I get many of the points you're trying to put forward. The only slight disagreement I have is that I think you're overlooking how useful Zero1 is. Sure, he may not be the best player, but I think he's a pretty solid player to put in the support role. Regardless, I think you make some good, solid points.
Thank for for taking your time to write this insightful comment on ASE. It's beneficial for me to learn as much as possible about every team and I appreciate your help.

Since y'all are trying to wing it early, I guess I might as well too. EDG 3-1 FPX

https://www.vlr.gg/pickem/87af1759
I'm probably so wrong lmao

Hmmmmm... I'll have to wait and see how badly they lose to CCG lol.

Perhaps you're right. I haven't watched too much of the other teams so I can't really make any judgements about them.

They have a "pick'em badger" that allows them to sniff out the results, however convoluted and false they actually are. But that's just what I believe.

DSYRE win 3-0. Compared to all the other Italian teams, they've just always been better and I can't imagine them not dominating this series against RTZN. Once again, they're just better and they should be able to clean sweep this series. FORZA DSYRE 3-0!!!!

Fancy United should win this one 2-0.

I find it hard to imagine that CCG would get knocked without winning a single series...

What in the hot crispy Kentucky fried fuck?

T'was nice indeed! Looking forward to future interactions :)

https://www.vlr.gg/pickem/3f8a7325
CCG and EDGS look amazing right now. Fennel and DFM also look great imo, but I think the Chinese teams (except for ASE sorry) stand a very good chance of completely dominating the tournament.

Honestly, I think the most difficult outcomes to predict will be these potential matches: TE vs RNG in lowers, BLG vs TE rematch in lowers, FPX vs RA (they're both on similar level), and I guess you could argue that ASE vs TYLOO could be questionable but I think TYLOO is the weakest team in their group.

Overall, I don't think we'll see any big upsets this round of the tournament, but I do think we'll see BLG reclaim their top 4 status by knocking out TE. FPX should probably beat RA given that they pick the right maps, and chances are that RA could beat ASE to qualify for the next stage.

If y'all have any suggestions to modify my pick'em, please don't be shy to tell me, because I do want to try to make a perfect pick'em. Thank you!
https://www.vlr.gg/pickem/3881d940

(Yeah I copied this post from another one of my comments)

See, like... that TE vs BLG elimination match is so goddamn annoying to predict! Like, yes BLG have been playing alright recently, but TE stomped them 2-0 last time. Additionally, imo BLG isn't too strong of a team right now, I'd gladly say that RA or even FPX could beat them. But can BLG beat TE twice? The RA vs FPX series is also slightly more difficult to foresee a result imo because both games last act had different outcomes. But I do think that there are certain maps where FPX's strategies just can't be countered by RA (ex. Lotus). Overall, I think your pick'ems are pretty solid and you've clearly put thought into it. Cheers!

Honestly, I think the most difficult outcomes to predict will be these potential matches: TE vs RNG in lowers, BLG vs TE rematch in lowers, FPX vs RA (they're both on similar level), and I guess you could argue that ASE vs TYLOO could be questionable but I think TYLOO is the weakest team in their group.

Overall, I don't think we'll see any big upsets this round of the tournament, but I do think we'll see BLG reclaim their top 4 status by knocking out TE. FPX should probably beat RA given that they pick the right maps, and chances are that RA could beat ASE to qualify for the next stage.

If y'all have any suggestions to modify my pick'em, please don't be shy to tell me, because I do want to try to make a perfect pick'em. Thank you!
https://www.vlr.gg/pickem/3881d940

Wonderful!

Wow. You're right, it makes sense! I still have lots to learn about the CN scene, and you've helped out a lot by providing an excellent explaination to my frustrations. This is one of the most insightful comments I've read on this website. Thank you so much Yukel!

I remember watching his Raze against TYLOO last act. And he was amazing. Let's hope that he shows up this time as well. Personally, I'd like to see it go three maps.

That is based.

Hey, does anyone know whether pick'ems will be added for these groups or the final knockout event?

Thank you, I'm glad I did! I think CN Val is going to be pretty interesting in general and I can't wait to follow the league.

Yes indeed! ASE is playing FPX in a banger matchup!

These series/matchups are the hardest ones to predict with my skills. ASE has great players, but they've lacked a lot of dominance potential by not playing bunt and monk, whom in my opinion, are better than Yuicaw and YHchen. Now, I understand that they probably aren't playing them for very valid reasons, but since they aren't going to play, then I'd like to believe that FPX will win this series. FPX made an amazing run last time and gave RA, the runners-up, a run for their money. They've shown how good they are, and I think players like Autumn and AAAAY are going to be instrumental in their (possibly) 2-0 win.

Disclaimer!!!!1!: I am not the most confident in this particular prediction. I understand that some people might try to bet money from my predictions, but please be advised that I myself am not very confident in this 2-0 FPX win prediction.

To be honest, TYLOO looked okay against DRG. They won 2-0, and didn't drop a map, but at the same time, it wasn't a dominant performance from them. On the other hand, we all know what RA can do. Defeating FPX and taking of a map from EDG basically sets them on the same level as a high-ranking Chinese team, and they've shown just how good their players are (stew, MarT1n, viva...). Unless TYLOO figures out a way to 1. get more consistent, and 2. stop throwing rounds they should be winning (as seen against DRG), I don't find it hard to imagine RA winning this series 2-0.

In a hot rematch between BLG and TE, we're seeing a rejuvenated BLG face up against the fourth finisher from last act. Personally, I think that TE has solid mechanics and skills and it is highly possible that they take a map off BLG. However, with Yosemite back in the team, and momentum from the previous matches, I think it is likely that BLG wins this map 2-1 if not 2-0. Time will tell.

I hate to say this, but I think there is not a single drop of doubt in the ocean of possibilities that EDG doesn't win this series with a clean sheet. RNG has looked good and has great players such as Minimise, Swerl, and xiaonuo, but like the Trace Esports match against EDG last time, I just don't know if they have what it takes to beat a team on EDG's level. 2-0 EDG win.

Well, they did indeed win 2-0, so uh, great I guess.

I appreciate you too brother! I'm doing pretty well this act and I hope to continue to do so. Thank you so much!

So based.

DRG 2-1 it is lol.

I respect that. China's a very nice country.

Brother you're chinese now?

We'll see about that...

Another 13-0? What the malarkey I'd have never thought that there'd be so many 13-0s lol.

I had classes so I couldn't comment lol. Despite the fact that NIP played well against JDG, I don't think it'll be enough to take out a team like RNG. They're on great form right now, and although they lost to BLG, imo they showed enough to convince me that they could beat a team like NIP. I think SWERL is going to perform extremely well this series, and I think RNG will take this 2-0.

Your right, but I was talking about how the main stage of this act will include 7/8 of the same teams as the last act if TYLOO makes it.

I cannot wait to see EDG GC play on the international stage!

Fingers crossed. =]

I mean, personally, I believe that these two teams are quite similar in strength, and I can see 4AM having just as much of a chance to win as DRG. I could've made quite the irrational decision by choosing DRG over 4AM.

Yes, I will credit you as the better analyser if 4AM wins 2-0. lol