OPL Split 2, Week 3: Match Predictions

Along with my predictions, I talked to resident Snowballers Ellis (@BicycEllis) and Harry (@hispanicatd_) to get their thoughts as well for this weekend’s matchups.

Swifty:  After Tectonic’s showing last week, with substitute AD Gunkrab helping them serve an 0-2 loss to ORDER I’m hoping to see them continue their momentum. We may have Value playing this weekend for Tectonic pending visa issues, I’m keen to see what their full roster looks like. If Value isn’t cleared we can expect to see Gunkrab again which would also be fine with me after watching him against ORDER last week.

Dire Wolves are still very much the favourite, however Avant taking them to three games, make them look mortal for the first time this year. Tectonic are very much an underdog here and they might be able to take a game off the wolves, however I think DW will still come away with the win. Part of me definitely wants to see Tectonic give Dire Wolves their first domestic series loss in almost 12 months though.

W:  Dire Wolves 2-1

Ellis:  Last split I subscribed to the successful “always tip the Dire Wolves and never tip Tectonic” strategy. Tectonic blew up that strategy last week with a decisive 2-0 against Order.

It seems like having Trance as shot-caller has given Sybol the opportunity to focus on his own game, rather than having a split focus. Further credit has to be given to Trance for successfully duo-laning with two different ADCs (both of whom were making their OPL debut) over two consecutive weeks. A return to form for Sybol (when playing well, Sybol can challenge any OPL jungler), and improvements in player quality across the lanes… it was inevitable that Tectonic were due for a win. And now they have momentum.

But you can’t tip against the undefeated Dire Wolves. No matter how far behind the Dire Wolves may fall in any game; I have never once felt like they were at risk of losing a series.

W:  Dire Wolves 2-1

Harry:  If you asked me a week ago what result I would expect from this series, I would have said a clean 2-0 to the wolves in less than an hours game time. However, Tectonic pulled out the upset of the split last week taking down ORDER in a 2-0, they have proved themselves as a threat and I can’t just dismiss them anymore.

I still think the Dire Wolves, but in a 2-1, as the boys from across the Tasman will be able to do some damage to the reigning champs, albeit not enough to take the series off them.

W:  Dire Wolves 2-1

Swifty:  In my opinion this could be one of the closest matches of the week. Avant are looking good even in the face of their loss to the Dire Wolves last weekend.  DarkSide continues to impress me, and Jayke bringing out Pyke was cool to see.

On the other side we have ORDER. Fresh off their first ever 0-2 loss since the org entered the OPL. I think they’ll be hungry to prove that last week was just an aberration and they can bounce back. I’ll give this to them, however if we see the same ORDER from last week Avant will punish.

W:  ORDER 2-1

Ellis:  Avant have always struck me as a quirky, impulsive team who are willing to try new things. On the one hand, this means their unpredictable or surprising plays catch some teams unaware. On the other hand, they often suffer from poor decision making, and are inconsistent.

After their 0-2 loss to Tectonic (a team that failed to win a match last split), you wouldn’t blame the players from ORDER for being demoralized. They are a team that struggles if they fall behind in the laning phase- this made ORDER’s game 2 8.11- inspired strategy particularly risky. If ORDER return to a more traditional style of League of Legends, and recompose themselves, the individual skill level of the players should result in a series win.

This match could be a 2-1 win to either team.

W:  ORDER 2-1

Harry:  ORDER v Avant is the battle of two of the most volatile forces in the OPL. you can’t tell up to game day, and hell even into partway into the series if either of these sides will show up with their A-game or will look like one of the worst sides in the competition.

Despite that, I have faith in ORDER pulling out a 2-1 this week, as the boys in black are desperate for their first series win in this OPL split after an abysmal start for them.

W:  ORDER 2-1

Swifty:  Chiefs are looking the best they’ve ever looked – just dominant. Clear front-runners at the moment, I don’t see much more out of this series than a 2-0 for them.

As Spawn alluded to on broadcast, for the Bombers this is tough. They have the talent, with Sleeping and Tiger constantly bumping shoulders at the top of challenger. We’ve seen glimmers of hope in last week’s game 1 against Legacy. If they can bring that level of play back they may be able to take a game off an unstoppable Chiefs.

W:  Chiefs 2-0

Ellis:  Mechanically skilled individuals, great macro play, solid decision making, and able to execute traditional and 8.11-inspired drafts- the Chiefs are the whole package. They seem unshakeable… and I haven’t seen anything from the Bombers to suggest that they will be the ones to knock the Chiefs off the top of the leaderboard.

Swiper vs Sleeping will make for an interesting individual matchup, as the informal battle for best OPL top lane continues.

W:  Chiefs 2-0

Harry:  Not much to say about this match up, the Chiefs have looked next level (with the boys in blue claiming they haven’t even hit their final form yet) and the Bombers have looked like they have lost all of their gelling and spark they started to form at the start of the week.

I expect a quick and clean 2-0 from the chiefs this week, whilst noting that the Bombers have a chance to pull out the upset in this insane meta.

W:  Chiefs 2-0

Swifty:  The other potential blockbuster matchup this weekend for me. Legacy look to have regained some of their form after a questionable game 1 against the Bombers.

MAMMOTH even though going down 0-2 to Chiefs last week, were close to taking a game off them, which at the moment is more than Legacy can say. I think (and hope) we’re in for a hell of a series here to cap off the weekend.

W:  MAMMOTH 2-1

Ellis:  Last week, MAMMOTH almost took a game off the Chiefs (arguably the strongest team in the competition right now). Having only played together for two weeks, it was a very impressive performance. There is something exciting about the MAMMOTH lineup – it’s a melting pot of confidence and individual skill with a sprinkle of Sin-Fighto. However, I’m not yet convinced the recipe is consistent.

Legacy still have not thrilled me. Last week, Raid finally found his footing. And you can never discount Claire. But it feels as though Legacy lack confidence and struggle to come back if they’re ever behind.

W:  MAMMOTH 2-1

Harry:  Both Legacy and MAMMOTH having something to prove this week. Both teams have experienced 0-2 losses at the hands of the Chiefs, but both teams have also had somewhat convincing wins against the Bombers. This week’s match is going to be used as a measuring stick to see which side is better between the two, at least for now.

This matchup is likely to be scrappy and close, but ultimately I give it as a 2-1 to the boys backed by the crows, as they seem more cohesive at the moment despite their changes in the off-season.

W:  Legacy 2-1

Will the Dire Wolves stay undefeated? See if Tectonic can surprise the wolf pack when the OPL continues tomorrow, Friday 22nd June at 5pm on Twitch, or at oce.lolesports.com.