OPL Split 2, Week 1: Match Predictions

To get a little more acquainted with this weekend’s matches, I talked to our own Andrew Wray, as well as some resident Snowballers from the new community power rankings panel to get their tips and thoughts.

Andrew: I’ve got MAMMOTH edging this one out, from a lane match up perspective it’s pretty even across the board and you have to wonder if MAMMOTH have had enough time to gel while bombers have had a boot camp in LA. At the end of the day the star power of Chippys and Mash have me thinking it’s time to #TUSKUP.
W: MAMMOTH 2-1

Harry: Both teams have much to prove and much to show this week. MAMMOTH want to come out strong in their first OPL showing, whilst the Bombers wants to prove that they have improved in their break and continue to show the spark of ability they had at the end of last split. This matchup will be close, but I think it will be a MAMMOTH win on the basis of raw ability.
W: MAMMOTH 2-1

Ducky: MAMMOTH come into Split 2 with a new name, fresh faces and plenty of firepower. The Bombers will want to show the fruits of their labour after their summer bootcamp, while MAMMOTH’s complete shuffle could shake things up. This matchup really comes down to a battle of the ADCs – Tiger will want to continue the big improvements he made at the end of last split, while Mash will want to make his mark on the OPL immediately. While the Bombers have had a bit more time to gel, the sheer class of MAMMOTH’s imports in Chippys, Remind and Mash should be enough to get over the Bombers.
W: MAMMOTH 2-1

Andrew: If Mimic lives up to his potential and the patch isn’t bot lane focused, I can see Legacy getting the win in this match up. The idea of watching Claire vs ry0ma going at it in the mid lane is absolutely mouth watering, but as the tale went last year, I can’t see many getting past the dominant duo of Raes and Destiny.
W: Chiefs 2-1

Harry: I can’t think of any better way to start this split then the classic OPL rivalry of Chiefs and Legacy. Both of these lineups have the potential to win it all this split, and both teams to will fight to tooth and nail to win this week. I see the Chiefs picking up the series in a nail biting 2-1, on the basis that the Chiefs lineup is just that little bit stronger.
W: Chiefs 2-1

Ducky: Legacy have bolstered their lineup with the addition of Only over the break, while Chiefs stuck true to the roster which almost led them to MSI. The top half of the map will be neck and neck, with equal skill matchups across top, jungle and mid. Raid and Decoy are the weak link of Legacy though, and in a meta where bot lane superiority is crucial, the skill of Raes and Destiny will pay dividends for Chiefs and will hand them the win.
W: Chiefs 2-1

Andrew: This will really show the barometer for Tectonic as the power rankings saw, a lot of people had AV sliding down the ranks and for me not to regret putting Tectonic at 7th over Bombers in the power rankings, they will need to make a good showing in this series. Top lane should be explosive to watch with Pabu and Papryze going head to head while Sybol will have to really redeem himself against Praelus who looked the goods as the Dire Wolves sub last split. Tectonic have made some good changes in the off season but it still feels like Avant have the better batsmen in the shed.
W: Avant Gaming 2-1

Harry: Avant and Tectonic have both retooled this split, and will want to both show how there new players have made their lineup stronger. I give it to AV this week, on the basis of that they have full team that has been playing together for slightly longer.
W: Avant Gaming 2-1

Ducky: Tectonic will be looking to get off to a better start than last split, and they’ve pulled out all the stops to make it happen. With a new bot lane duo in Value and Trance imported from NA, they will be looking to prove themselves against DarkSide, who will also be making his OPL debut after a stint in Turkey. I think Avant’s solo lanes will have the edge over Tectonic’s and give them the win in the end, although the matchup between Papryze and Pabu will be great to see after Papryze’s Korea bootcamp saw him hit Rank 60.
W: Avant Gaming 2-1

Andrew: This is season defining for both teams, ORDER need to show up this split, not making Rift Rivals is a huge disappointment for them, super teams should be making super events! The team as individual players would be one of the most experienced teams in the league who have all been the best in their role at one point in time. They’ve had a split to gel, it’s really time for them to show up and some would argue the Dire Wolves are at their weakest. However I’m not writing off the Wolves in this encounter, I think moving Chippys out really does unlock the rest of the map for the Dire Wolves. Chippys had been their main carry and it’s now time for Shern/Triple/k1ng all to shine and they’re more than capable of delivering.
W: Dire Wolves 2-1

Harry: DW look to make it 4 splits on the bounce and ORDER wants to prove that a super team can be successful after a split that didn’t meet their own personal expectations. Both teams will want to start with a win over each other so expect a brawl and a fiesta this Saturday night. I give to the Wolfpack, despite them changing their late change in top laner. I still see them as the better overall team at the moment, and are essentially the best team in the competition until someone can hand them their first domestic series loss the end of July, 2017.
W: Dire Wolves 2-1

Ducky: A trial by fire for Dire Wolves’ new top laner BioPanther, I think we will see the cracks in their armour. The team hasn’t lost a Bo3 in 12 months, but ORDER will be hoping to change that. With a split’s experience together under their belts, the ORDER lineup will be looking to clean up their sloppy macro play from last split. If BioPanther can hold off Tally, Dire Wolves will stand a chance, but I think the rookie top laner will struggle into the Oceania veteran, and Dire Wolves will fall as a result.
W: ORDER 2-1

Almost unanimous tips across the entire weekend from these guys with the exception of Ducky picking ORDER over the Dire Wolves. Make sure to let us know via Twitter @snowballesports which match you’re most excited for when the OPL returns tonight at 5pm AEST.

Also, register and decide tips for yourself at opltips.com.au. If you’d like to join the Snowball Esports tournament along with us, slide into our now open DMs on Twitter and send through the email address you used to register!