OPL Split 2, Week 7: Match Predictions

Well, jokes on you as I’m now in first place so I’m back to give you my tips this week to help you win your competitions. Joining me are Snowballers Harry (@hispanicatd_) and Ducky (@dvcky_), let’s get into it.

Dire Wolves vs MAMMOTH

Andrew: This is a Dire Wolves win for this series, it’s just a question of whether the wolves are complacent and drop a game. With mash in the bottom lane and Chippys having the potential to pop off in the top lane MAMMOTH have the fire power but lack the consistency.

Of course we’ll be eagerly watching Chippys return against his old side, Shernfire and Chippys used to be on the same wavelength, it’ll be interesting to see if Shern can catch out his former team-mate.

W: Dire Wolves 2-0

Harry: The Dire Wolves are coming up to the anniversary of their last domestic series loss in Oceania, and are not looking to drop another anytime soon.

MAMMOTH are on the up and up since Rift Rivals, and they, especially Chippys, will be looking to dethrone the wolves. I think this will end up being quite a scrappy and bloody series, but ultimately tip the Dire Wolves to win this series 2-1.

W: Dire Wolves 2-1

Ducky: Dire Wolves and MAMMOTH both dropped games to teams they really shouldn’t have in Week 6. The wolfpack gift wrapped the Bombers a Game 2 victory, although they still played like they were 5k gold ahead while 20 kills behind. On the other hand, poor drafting plagued MAMMOTH against Avant, and throws-a-plenty came from both sides.

In saying this, while MAMMOTH have started to hit their stride, the Dire Wolves have shown week in week out that they are at the head of the pack. Shernfire might be alluding to something by naming his account “sp18” – Sans Pareil 18. The wolf pack’s dominance is unparalleled this season, defying even the highest expectations and frankly no one can stop them now.

W: Dire Wolves 2-0

Legacy vs ORDER

Andrew: We should see an ORDER victory in this series. Though I think Legacy’s best shot is through Mimic in the top lane, I can’t help but feel the bottom lane insurance policy ORDER have is enough to get the job done.

It’s also very dependant on whether Claire pull out a Rift Rivals-level carry performance, can ORDER let Zoe through? I really enjoy watching Claire’s Zoe.

W: ORDER 2-1

Harry: Legacy have finally achieved their first 2-0 of the split last week and are looking to use this momentum to get as many points as possible looking towards the gauntlet.

ORDER though are looking to bounce back after a 0-2 loss to the Chiefs. I expect a close matchup, with ORDER taking it in a 2-1 scrap.

W: ORDER 2-1

Ducky: Legacy took a relatively swift 2-0 against a shaky Tectonic in Week 6, while ORDER fought valiantly but micro misplays cost them a 0-2 series loss against the Chiefs. These teams are close in skill and cohesion, however ORDER have some definite advantages over Legacy.

FBI and Rogue have looked solid this season, while Raid and Decoy have consistently been the weak link for Legacy. ORDER’s macro work wasn’t as sloppy as it has been in the past against the Chiefs. If the Melbourne lads can clean up their micro this week, I can’t see Legacy getting past them in a best of 3.

W: ORDER 2-1

Bombers vs Tectonic

Andrew: MATCH OF THE ROUND, yeah okay its not a top of the table clash but I feel this series is the hardest to pick for the week. It could be very interesting if Tectonic can add some value this week, but I’m not actually sure how much of a difference that makes given we’re at week 7. Is it too late?

However given how well Tectonic have performed this split with rotating ADC substitutes, I’ll give the benefit of the doubt to Tectonic but Tiger and Rosey certainly aren’t pushovers in the bot lane.

W: Tectonic 2-1

Harry: Both squads are public in their gauntlet aspirations, and for both teams, picking up this series is extremely valuable in achieving that goal. Tectonic haven’t had the best fortnight since Rift Rivals, losing 0-2 to both MAMMOTH and Legacy, whilst the Bombers barely managed to nudge out a game win against the Dire Wolves but still ultimately fell.

They’re out for all the points they can get, and with both having somewhat aggressive natures, I think we’ll see some fireworks. I predict a 2-1 from Tectonic.

W: Tectonic 2-1

Ducky: Tectonic hype train status: Waiting for Value to finally board. At this point, it feels like that time where you are at an airport, and the flight attendant is constantly calling that one late passengers name over the PA. I’m itching to see him in action, and if he does play, I think it might change the scoreline. Cracks are starting to show in the Tectonic armour, and that can be seen in their slow slide down the power rankings over the past few weeks.

On the other end of the scale, I’m going to have my small Bombers fanboy moment and say I’m super happy they took a game off Dire Wolves last week. In saying so, it was far from clean, and a team 20 kills ahead shouldn’t only have a gold lead of 2k. Not to draw a bad parallel, but it was like trying to watch BBQ finish off Afreeca in LCK last week – it’s been so long since they’ve been close to beating a high level team they forgot how to play League.

I think Tectonic have the edge, but it’s going to be a bloodied battle because both teams play super aggressively. The true victory for Tectonic will lie in Value finally playing.

W: Tectonic 2-1

The Chiefs vs Avant Gaming

Andrew: While Avant have had a few interesting matches so far this split, and there’s a good chance the team could snatch a game off Chiefs, the former OPL giants have looked strong even in defeat over the past month.

Look to big Swips in the top lane for more of Rift Rivals magic, but it’s likely to be a clean 2-0 for the Chiefs.

W: Chiefs 2-0

Harry: Not much to say about this one, the Chiefs are on the war path towards the gauntlet/finals and can’t afford to drop many more points.

Avant are looking for any points they can get to avoid the promotion tournament. I tip this series a 2-0 to the Chiefs, as I think they are simply a much better squad and are looking to make up lost ground in the standings.

W: Chiefs 2-0

Ducky: My first tuning into the OPL Broadcast last week was 10 minutes into Game 3 of Avant v MAMMOTH. Avant were lining up to dive Chippys’s Gangplank, and I was watching the play thinking “this is going to go wrong”. They were absolutely punished for it by MAMMOTH, and I can only imagine the punishment the Chiefs will give them if they try the same thing on the armoured titan.

I think Chiefs have played impressively post Rift Rivals – even if that run includes a 0-2 loss to Dire Wolves. There is too much of a skill gap in every role, plus cleaner macro from Chiefs, that it would take quite the choke for them to lose this week. Given the confidence the line-up would have gained after their win over ORDER last week, I don’t see them losing.

W: Chiefs 2-0

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The OPL continues tomorrow for week 7 of the split, Friday 27th July at 5pm on Twitch, or at oce.lolesports.com.