Apeks and Sprout will meet in the first round of the lower bracket of ESL Challenger League Season 44: Europe. The beginning of the tournament did not work for both teams, which are experiencing problems.
But if Apeks simply cannot play, then Sprout decided to make changes in the composition, because of which he generally plays with a coach. Therefore, here, given the circumstances, I would not believe in the Danish-Romanian team.
And, despite the failures from Apeks, it still seems to me that the team will find the strength to get the first victory in a long time. Moreover, the situation favors, since the opponent is much worse.
Form Apeks
The 39th team in the world ranking failed in the CCT South Europe Series 2 playoffs, where they lost to Eternal Fire in the first round. At the same time, the European team left the open qualifiers for IEM Brazil 2023.
What is most interesting, Apeks continued to fall further, as the team had two losses in the Elisa Invitational Winter 2023, as well as a poor start at the ESL Challenger League Season 44 Europe.
In general, the situation is difficult, and the team does not even try in terms of the game, although everything went fine.
Apeks latest results:
- Defeat from Eternal Fire with a score of 1:2.
- Victory over ECSTATIC with a score of 16:5.
- Defeat from HEET with a score of 12:16.
- Defeat from GODSENT with a score of 0:2.
- Lost to Young Ninjas with a score of 0:2.
Best Apeks Maps:
- Overpass - 85% of wins.
- Mirage - 71% of wins.
- Ancient - 62% of wins.
- Vertigo - 62% of wins.
- Nuke - 60% win rate.
- Anubis - 50% win rate.
Interestingly, the European team plays on seven maps, starting from the opponent.
Sprout shape
The 23rd team in the world ranking recently visited the IEM Katowice 2023 Play-In, where they got only one victory over Evil Geniuses, but then lost to OG and Team Spirit, not getting into the group stage.
After that, the Danish-Romanian team began to change the composition, trying to find a new captain. It didn’t work out, as Sprout instantly flew off in the closed qualifiers for IEM Brazil 2023, again receiving two defeats.
As for the start at the ESL Challenger League Season 44 Europe, here the team even started with the BERRY coach, which, in fact, was the main reason for the defeat from 1WIN.
Latest Sprout results:
- Victory over Evil Geniuses with a score of 2:0.
- Defeat from Team Spirit with a score of 1:2.
- Defeated by 9INE with a score of 1:2.
- Defeated by BIG with a score of 0:2.
- Defeat from 1WIN with a score of 1:2.
Best Sprout cards:
- Vertigo - 83% of wins.
- Ancient - 80% of wins.
In turn, the Danish team continues to refuse the Nuke card.
Apeks vs Sprout Match Statistics
The teams have not met before.
Prediction for Apeks — Sprout
Given the reshuffling of the Sprout roster, as well as the general form of the team, I would not focus on Apeks problems. It is clear that the team does not play, but in its current form, the wards of BERRY are a real nightmare. Therefore, in this case, I would recommend betting on the victory of the Apeks team.
