Bright and interesting matches will accompany us for the rest of the Major, and this makes us happy. One of such fights will undoubtedly be the match between Vici and Team Liquid.
I would classify both teams as favorites. That Liquid, that Vici seem to me to be suitable teams for the passage further, but as in that joke, there is one "but".
And this "but" - PSG.LGD. I will not hide the fact that I am a little warmer for the "Parisians" and as for me this is very objective.
It is foolish to argue that PSG.LGD is perhaps the main favorite to get into the playoffs, and to the top seed. This will most likely happen, and we end up with only one vacancy in the upper bracket.
It's no secret that both Liqud and Vici will make the playoffs. But who will start the main stage at the top of the bracket, with the right to make a mistake - the question.
This match will be decisive in many ways: it is the face-to-face meeting of Liqud and Vici that, in my opinion, will be decisive in the issue of the top seed. Let's see who can start with an extremely important victory and whether it will succeed at all.
Vici shape
Let's start by discussing Vici, as we've already seen them in action. And it was a pleasant sight, though not enchanting.
Vici had some rough spots in the Wild Card, but the Chinese skillfully smoothed the corners and confidently made it to the group stage. Now they have an advantage in the form of gaming experience, which cannot be ignored in the future.
Wild Card Vici were played as: Faceless Void, Grimstroke, Templar Assassin, Centaur, Earth Spirit, Dark Willow. This includes Ancient Apparation and Doom.
From this roster of heroes, TA, Earth Spirit, Dark Willow, AA and Doom have 100% win rates. In principle, this is not surprising, given that Vici did not lose that often.
Vici Recent Results
- Draw in the match with Nigma 1-1
- Draw in the match with Secret 1-1
- Draw in the match with Execration 1-1
- Win against Gambit with a score of 2-0
- Win against Invictus Gaming 2-0
I spoke about these roughnesses - 3 draws in the first mast of the Wild Card is not a critical thing, but it is worth paying attention. Liquid will pay particular attention.
Liquid form
In Kiev, we have not yet seen Liqud in action, but there is no doubt about the efficiency of this team. We remember very well the Singaporean Major, which Liquid started uncontrollably, starting 3-0.
The problems for the "liquid" ones began on the second day. This suggests that Liquid play mainly in their own "Dota", often ignoring the meta formed at the tournament.
We saw this throughout the season, where Liquid played such heroes as Slardar, Magnus, Oracle. Not frequent guests often brought Liquid a victory: Slardar had a 75% win rate at 4 games, magnus had a 67% win rate at 3 games, and Oracle did not lose at all and has 100% at 2 matches.
Liquid Latest matches
- Defeat Brame 2-1
- Beat the Hellbear Smashers 2-0
- Beat Tundra 2-1
- Lost to Team Secret with a score of 1-2
- Defeat OG 2-0
Sumail clearly strengthened the team by coming to mid, but this is also the problem. Qojqva on the hard lane is not always at ease, which can be a key problem in the match against Vici.
Personal meeting history
In face-to-face meetings, Liquid is clearly inferior to Vici. For 5 games "liquid" won only 1 meeting.
Match outcome
Remembering the start of the last major, we can say that Liquid is a clear favorite, but they will play against Vici. Against Vici, who have already managed to get enough of the "major" atmosphere and "shoot".
However, I still believe that Liquid will be able to surprise Vici, but only on 1 map. In this meeting, I see a draw.
Result: draw 1-1.
