OPL Split 2, Week 5: Match Predictions

It’s been a long time since I’ve written OPL predictions, I just want you to know that in the Snowball Esports tipping league I’m at equal highest tipping% but find myself 4th due to margin. This week is where I reach the top! Joining me this week are Snowballers Andrew “Dvcky_” Amos and Harry “hispanicatd_” Taylor. Lets break it down!

ORDER vs Bombers

Andrew: ORDER are on the comeback trail after a shaky start to the season but the Bombers have been looking threatening – taking points off teams and getting their first season win over Avant Gaming.

ORDER should have the quality to brush the challenge aside, I’m being conservative in this prediction and tipping ORDER 2-1. Hopefully this clash is a Melbourne derby that delivers.

W: ORDER 2-1

Ducky: If you had asked me to predict this series at Week 1, I would have told you that ORDER would have won 3-0 in a 2 game series. Even as a massive Bombers fan, I had minimal faith as we got spanked week after week. Getting a dominant 2-0 over Avant last week really helped to kick start the spirits though, especially after seeing Sleeping wake up from an almost eternal slumber.

However, I held very high expectations for ORDER this season. My personal predictions had them winning the OPL this split. So imagine my surprise when Tectonic completely dismantled the ‘super team’ with Chiefs Academy’s ADC subbing in for the import having visa issues. Although ORDER have steadied the ship in the last two weeks, taking down Avant and MAMMOTH, they still haven’t lived up to my preseason hype.

Despite all of this, I’m still giving it to ORDER. When both teams are on good days, playing their absolute best League of Legends, ORDER should be able to clean up Bombers with few errors. In that being said, if Sleeping can have a performance like he did against Avant, and all the pieces fall into Bombers hands, it could swing either way.

W: ORDER 2-1

Harry: Both the Bombers and ORDER are both on the up and up after their cold starts to the split, with both teams wanting to accrue as many points as possible to give themselves the best chance of making the gauntlet.

This series will come down to the tooth and nail, and I give it as an ORDER 2-1 victory, as ORDER is a slightly better squad overall.

W: ORDER 2-1

The Chiefs vs Dire Wolves

Andrew: Clash of the titans, I’m bloody excited about this one. On one hand you have the Dire Wolves that are yet to drop a series and have defeated every challenge that’s come their way, even while trying to navigate with a new top laner. Then you have The Chiefs who before the Tectonic series looked unstoppable and were at the best they’ve played all year. Bumps in the road always happen though (Yeah, I’m not forgetting DW losing to Mineski in the final) and then THE CHIEFS BROUGHT IT HOME FOR OCE LOOKING SO GOOD.

If Dire Wolves lose their undefeated run this year it’s probably in this series and I’ve got the Chiefs 2-1.

W: Chiefs 2-1

Ducky: The grand final rematch, you have to be hyped for this. Chiefs took a bit of a tumble in Week 4, losing to Tectonic, while Dire Wolves have only dropped one map this season so far. Both teams are looking to be the dominant forces in the OPL, and possibly Grand Finalists once again.

At Rift Rivals, Chiefs looked absolutely deadly. Ry0ma picked up the only Pentakill in the tournament in the dying moments of the Grand Final to secure the victory for Oceania. At the same time, Dire Wolves meticulously destroyed SEA and Japan throughout the group stage, only losing 1 game to Mineski in the Grand Final.

The only thing dividing these two teams is a hair. The hair on the skin of Teemo. On a tiny resolution monitor. When both teams are absolutely firing, it’s one of those times I wish best of 3s can end in draws. I’m just barely going to give it to Dire Wolves though, because their skill cap is just a bit higher, and they have just looked so dominant throughout the last few weeks that not even the Chiefs can stop their rampage to Worlds.

W: Dire Wolves 2-1

Harry: Both The Chiefs and Dire Wolves are coming down from the high of winning Pacific Rift Rivals, and are refocusing on their next goal – the OPL title and the world’s spot. The winner of this series will be able to gain a leg up over their rival in the race for first place, so this will be a hard fought battle.

I ultimately give this series to the Chiefs in a 2-1, as I believe they have showed their best form in a long time at Rift rivals, whilst the Dire Wolves seemed a little bit out of form to me, despite going perfect in the group stage in last week’s tournament, but dropping a game to Mineski in the final.

W: Chiefs 2-1

MAMMOTH vs Tectonic

Andrew: Controversially, I’ve given this to MAMMOTH and I hope I don’t regret the decision. Don’t get me wrong, I am all aboard the Tectonic hype train and teams should definitely fear them but I’m not exactly sure which Tectonic show up.

Is it the one that lost to Avant and Dire Wolves? Or is it the one that pulled off the major upsets, I’m not so sure? Chippys vs Papryze should be an absolute treat to watch. Let the two lads duke it out on carries and see who prevails!

W: MAMMOTH 2-1

Ducky: Will this be the week we finally see Value? Frankly, in my mind, it doesn’t matter. Tectonic have shown incredible depth in the bottom lane, using both Gunkrab and Anderu to wipe the floor with ORDER and The Chiefs respectively. Although they have been relatively inconsistent throughout the season, we will see the Tectonic that we’ve been waiting for. I personally had no faith in Tectonic coming into the split, but I’m firmly on the hype train now.

On the other hand, MAMMOTH have 5 strong individual parts on their team, but the sum of their parts has proven to not be very strong thus far. Mash and Cuden have survived in the bottom lane, but not really thrived. Chippys, Juves and Remind haven’t really found their synergy in the top side as well, but the pieces will slowly fall together. You have to remember, this team features the 2017 Raydere Medallist, an NA veteran and a Korean prodigy who thrived in Japan. They are no push over.

I’m giving this series to Tectonic though. They’ve won against the Chiefs using Anderu, so imagine how much power they will be packing when we finally see Value and Trance back together on stage. I guess you can say, it’ll be tectonic.

W: Tectonic 2-0

Harry: Tectonic are the new big dogs in town and they want to show they are not just a flash in the pan, and MAMMOTH are looking to get their season back on track as soon as possible.

Unfortunately for Juves and his boys, I don’t this is the week. I’m tipping a 2-0 to Tectonic, as I think that they are a far superior team at the moment.

W: Tectonic 2-0

Legacy vs Avant Gaming

Andrew: Legacy looked decent at Rift Rivals and Avant have looked awful in recent weeks of the OPL. Claire pulled out one of the biggest carry performances I’ve seen that I’m genuinely concerned he may have stress fractures in his back.

My only 2-0 series prediction is in the way of Legacy. Watch out for that Zoe.

W: Legacy 2-0

Ducky: After Rift Rivals, I think you could chuck Mimic, Only, Raid and Decoy on any enemy team, and Claire would destroy them in a 1v9. I was absolutely blown away by his performance at Rift Rivals. And if Claire can do that in a 1v9, imagine what Legacy can do in a 5v5.

Legacy has finally hit their stride this split. Although they have one of the weaker bot lanes in the region, Raid and Decoy should be able to hold their own against DarkSide and Jayke. If they can, there will be domination across the map. While I like Pabu, Mimic has shown to us that he is the new king of the top lane. In my opinion, Claire is currently the best mid laner in the region, and although Frae is good, Claire is on another level.

However, you cannot discount Avant. They did beat Tectonic who have proven to be a great team this season. DarkSide, Frae, Pabu – anyone of those can just put Avant on his back and ride it home to the nexus. Praelus is also good on the carry junglers. Despite this, I still think Legacy have the stranglehold on this series.

W: Legacy 2-0

Harry: Legacy and Avant have both had less than desirable starts to the split and are now fighting for as many points as possible. This series is one of the new modern rivalries in the OPL and both teams will be putting 110% effort in to win.

I tip this series to be a 2-1 to the boys backed by the crows, based off both recent form and strength of the squad.

W: Legacy 2-1

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The OPL continues tomorrow for week 5 of the split, Friday 12th July at 5pm on Twitch, or at oce.lolesports.com.