Envy v Gen.G

I think most of us are expecting Envy to take this series. In my eyes, Envy are the favourites to win Masters and lead NA onto Worlds. But, Gen.G are by no means a second rate team. So, here is how they match up in the stats.

Maps

We will likely see Gen.G ban Split, having avoided that map like the plague since the start of the year.

The smartest ban for Envy would be Haven. They have only played it 5 times this year and Gen.G look better on Haven than any other map.

The big thorn in Gen.G's side is their map pool. With no experience on Split, you would expect that they could at least put up competitive numbers on the other 4 maps, but that's just not the case. Gen.G can't play Ascent. At least, not against other top tier teams. So, essentially, Gen.G is only a 3-trick pony, leaving themselves open to a clean sweep if the map order is against them. And, with Haven out of the pool, I'd be surprised if anyone could argue they have the advantage on any map against Envy.

Players

Envy are on the rise. Over the past 5 games, their stats have been surpassing their averages continuously. Food, in particular, is putting out insane numbers, averaging 60 above his 'All-Time' ACS and 35 above his ADR. IMO, Food is the best Phoenix in NA right now. If there is a 'weak' link in the Envy line-up, it's Kaboose who has been underperforming over the last 5 games. But, Kaboose does what he's paid to - he gets shot at. I suppose, if Gen.G find a way to isolate Kaboose when Gen.G are on ATK, they might find some success, but Envy don't often stick their arm out of the bus, so to speak.

Gen.G, on the whole, have been underperforming over their past 5 games. GMD hasn't been putting out anywhere near his fragging potential. Mkael has lost .3 off his K/D. Even Shawn has been struggling, loosing .2 off his average player rating.

XSET v FAZE

XSET look in prime position to put a stop to FaZe's winning streak. But, if there is one thing I've learnt over the past few weeks, it's that betting against FaZe will, more often than not, empty your pockets and leave you feeling like a chump.

Maps

FaZe will likely ban out Haven, if they get the chance. I'm not 100% on how picks and vetos work, and in what order, but XSET will be really gutted to see Haven out of the pool if FaZe get their way.

XSET will try and be rid of Icebox, which will likely piss off FaZe as much as XSET loosing Haven.

Vetos done, we should see Bind, Split and Ascent on the cards.

Bind will be close, I hope. Faze have been stomping of late, but XSET have more top tier experience on Bind and look pretty sharp.

Split should be The FaZe Show. XSET are a bit 50/50 on this map and haven't really cracked their ATKs.

Ascent could be close again, as both teams look pretty deadly. But, Faze have looked more deadly, more often on Ascent this year so I think they have the edge.

Players

The ' STRAIGHT SMEAG' might, finally, be a thing of the past for FaZe Clan, which is a terrifying prospect for the NA scene and an utter blessing for the viewers. over the past 5 games, FaZe have averaged above their 'All Time' stats. They are certainly improving. On top of this, their recent change in approach has left opponents wondering what happened to those rash-dash YOLO Bois and who these straight-up executioners are, playing in the stead. BabyBay, in particular, has been outperforming across the board.

Over their past 5 games, XSET have been underperforming. They just aren't getting the combat scores and damage per round we had come to expect from the team. Ayrin and BCJ taking the hardest knocks in these areas.

The one big caveat is that, overall, XSET still put out better All-Time averages. As a team, they have a better ACS, a better K/D, more Kills Per Round, and about 150 more rounds worth of experience.
We can assume, from these stats that XSET still play a better 'team game' than FaZe. On the other hand, FaZe's 'ego stats' (Headshots, Entries and First Bloods) are all better than XSET's. I'm expecting a lot of bloody, mid-map collisions and we will have to wait and see who walks away from them.

SEN v LG

FeelsBadMan from the rest of SEN. Don't really know what to say about this series other than LG now stand a better chance than ever of knocking SEN into the loser's bracket.

If in doubt, side with the Victim.

IMT vs 100T

With Ethan finding his feet in a new title, 100T haven't looked their best. But, they are super clean on DEF and that could be enough...

Maps

Regardless of whose veto it is, we won't be seeing Split. Both teams hate that map. IMT should leave 100T to veto though, as it is there permaban, leaving them a chance to ban out Haven.

Haven is the map where 100T have a clear advantage over IMT. It would really be 'cutting off the head of the snake' if IMT can get rid of it.

Assuming they do, we will see Bind, Ascent & Icebox.

IMT should stomp on Bind. 100T just can't seem to find a footing there.

Ascent will be a blow-for-blow slugfest, with both teams looking dominant. I am particularly excited about IMT's attacking half. They look so good. But, what will make this showing extra juicy is that 100T are one of the finest DEF teams on Ascent. they've won over 70% of defensive rounds this year. It's going to be filthy.

I hope Icebox is map 3, as there is barely a shred between these two teams in terms of an 'edge'. Neither teams are particularly good and I think that, whoever is destined to take this map, will take it be an inch rather than a yard.

Players

On paper, IMT are the stronger team. They do more damage, they get more kills, they enter more sites, they get more multikills. But, this isn't news, we all know what kind of team IMT are. They are scrappers.

100T, on the other hand, have better "gentlemen's" stats. They have better player ratings, combat scores, headshots and K/D.

But, with 100T reverting back to simpler strats while Ethan gets bedded in. I'd take the scrappers over the gentlemen right now.

Over the past 5 games, IMT have been underperforming against some notoriously difficult teams, so I guess that was to be expected. They haven't found as many headies, their K/D is down, as is their combat scores and player ratings. They have, however, maintained a scary average ADR and ESR - suggesting that, even when IMT are against the ropes, they still know how to dish out the damage and claim those sites.

100T have struggled with their entries over the past 5 games, along with their ADR. But, and this could be the real counter to IMT, they're playing REALLY clean. their Headshots are up 2% for an average of nearly 30%, which is insane. Hiko put out a 48% headshot percentage against TSM. That's god-tier by anyone's standards. They've also improved on their average combat score, meaning they are playing smarter than usual - a scary prospect considering 100T are one of the smartest teams in the scene.

Predictions

I am so excited to see these games. I respect all the teams and hope they all play out of their minds.

I think our 4 winner will be:

1. Envy
2. Faze
3. LG
4. IMT

GLHF

agree with everything except 100t will poop on immortals

NV are just so dominant on every map on both sides of the board. I have a hard time seeing them lose to anyone, and I don't think GenG is going to break the mold with a win here. NV 2-0.

Just saying, FaZe literally never ban Haven. Didn't against Sentinels, didn't against T1, didn't against NRG, etc. Icebox and Haven are their best maps and they are definitely confident. They have banned Split pretty much every time in Challengers 3 and leading up to it. They just know what works and what doesn't I guess. Icebox is probably getting banned by XSET though. Should be a very entertaining game though with the amount of flashy plays happening on both ends. FaZe 2-1.

For the Sentinels game, comparing a member loss to 100T's performance in CH1, it's probably not gonna go well for them so LG definitely are going to be the favorites. LG 2-0.

Firstly, Shot Up is a monster. Between him and Asuna, we could have two of the best aimers in NA showing off. Should be exciting to watch. In the way of a prediction, I think that Asuna has been off and on lately and that has impacted the performance of the team a lot, even with Ethan. That being said, I'm sure after CH3 the team is more confident in each other and even though they might not be a well-oiled machine quite yet, I think we'll see a lot more out of them as they gain experience together. If they don't win against IMT, I feel like they could have a run of the loser's bracket beating out teams like Sentinels and then GenG/XSET. Either way, I think this will be the most interesting game to watch out of the first four. IMT 2-1.