Eastern Conference
Cardboard Robots vs. Kryptic
This is my own team, so I’m not going to make any predictions about it.
Zilla Gaming vs. Overthrow
Overthrow is a solid squad in open, a crafty one to their credit, one made even better with the recent acquisition of Raf, a very solid scout. I don’t feel a push map is in their favor, Zilla Gaming is still the defending champ, and a favorite to win the east, and simply has too much talent and experience on Overthrow. Overthrow won’t go down easily however, which is why I have Zilla taking this 5-2.
zG > Overthrow (5:2)
Quick Picks:
Exult > Emergency Masturbation (FFW)
The Terribles > Mob Gaming (FFW)
Strickland Propane > Reverb (5:0 or FFW)
Throwback > Convulsion (5:1)
Area 51 vs. No Grid
It’s likely Area 51 will come into the start of week 6 still boasting an undefeated record, and just as likely that they will still have not had a round taken off of them. Things won’t be any different after the match against No Grid. Although No Grid sports its own respectable 7-3 record, it’s important to note the quality of their wins, but more importantly their losses. Although Expertise is a very good team, an 0-5 loss to them on badlands does not bode well against an even better Area 51 squad. Any team in contention to beat Area 51 is not one that can lose 0-5 to another ESEA open squad.
a51 > No Grid - 5:0
MOTW:
Knights of Goku (9-1) vs. Expertise (7-3)
This is definitely the match of the week for the first set of Yukon matches. Although, Expertise’s record sits at 7-3, they suffered two losses early in the season to some average teams (one of them apparently played 5v6), but have rebounded since then going 6-1, losing only to doing work which is a formidable team in itself. They have been playing at the top of their game since then, and are also sitting atop at #1 in our Community Fortress TWL Power Rankings.
Knights of Goku, standing at a dominant 9-1 record, one of the favorites to win open, has only gotten better as a result of Push Gaming’s demise, with the acquisition of top CEVO-P demo Orzo , who although plays soldier for them, still brings a significant improvement to an already high level squad. (For a sample of Orzo, watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVrLpevJpKA)
For both teams, their overall skill level is greatly altered by the caliber of their lineups, but I have a feeling both squads will field their starting 6 for this one. While Expertise is good, the experience and chemistry go to the Knights. Yukon is scout friendly, and the scout battle at mid happens finds itself more isolated from the demo than in granary or badlands. So where I would say Expertise has the matchup advantage in the scout department versus most teams, I expect Daniel to carry the load perusual for KOG with LD50 backing him up the whole way. KOG should take this one, but don’t be shocked if it goes the other way. All in all, I’d be really surprised and disappointed if a rolling occurs one way or the other.
KOG > Expertise - 5:3
404 Not Found (6-3) vs. Doin’ Work (8-2)
This is my Runner-up MOTW pick. First off we have 404 Not Found, who at the time of this prediction stands with a 6-3 record. Their three losses were all close, none being more than a one round difference in score. Their more notable losses were to the Knights of Goku and Iconic. They recently picked up a new medic, Lucious, who has had some limited CEVO-P experience playing medic for Team Dynamic for the second half of CEVO-P S2. They also have a strong soldier in Rukk.
Our second team is Doin’ Work, who is just on the fringe of being a contender. Unfortunately for them, working against them in recognizing them as one has been their relatively easy schedule in addition to their only difficult match resulting in a blowout loss, an 0-5 Badlands match versus the Knights of Goku. If DW brings their A-team for this match, which includes waar and likely their latest pickup of forcestealer, then I see DW taking this one 5-2. Anything less and I feel 404 has a chance to bring it to within one round, but I still don’t think they have what it takes to win, yet.
DW > 404 Not Found (5:2)
Quick Picks:
Iconic > vVv (5:3)
