Peawok’s Daily CGS Predictions
Written By: Michael “Peawok” Fleming
Hi everyone. I did very well last set of quarterfinals. Here were the scores:
Carolina Core > Wuhan Dragon (29-12)
Record: 2-0
Anyway, one thing that clearly surprised me was the fact that Salvo's Counter Strike guys played terribly. While the game was near out of reach, how do you lose 12-6? Same goes with the Carolina Core. How do you only win 10-8? The only thing that comes to mind is - oh god someone's saying it - sandbagging. While I think they tried their best, it may be possible that they didn't pull their best strategies out to save them for their bigger opponents. Just a thought..
Another huge surprise was Furia's lack of DOA strength. Both Hitomi1 and El Divino Xmas lost, a huge surprise considering how important they were last year.
The final thing I want to mention is Core's Forza team. A 6-1 win over Wuhan is incredible and, like Counter Strike last year, Core's Forza team could be the backbone for their team.
Here are my predictions for tonight's semifinal matches:
Both quarterfinal part two victors go head to head tonight, with solid victories against their opponents. Carolina played extremely well, winning all five games against the Wuhan Dragon. While Wuhan was the worst team in the Worlds, Core's solid play could go a long way. Birmingham, too, played well. They took down the Mexico City Furia 22-19, including dominating performances in both DOA divisions.
Needless to say, you have one great matchup tonight. Core's strongest factor so far has been their Forza squad. Their team performed well in Forza against Wuhan, and have been the backbone for Carolina since the season. Salvo's strongest factor in their match against Furia is DOA. SarahLou and Messy played spectacularly against Hitomi1 and El Divino Xmas.
If Carolina wants to win this matchup, I believe they need to do so in DOA. Mystik and Offbeat Ninja are fantastic players, but if they fall victim to Salvo's up and coming DOA we could see Core get knocked out. Also, their Forza team need to perform well, as Salvo's Source team might find their groove tonight.
If Salvo wants to win, they have to win DOA. Like Core, one strong point has been their DOA division. It's a battle of two strong DOA squads and I can guarantee that if either team wins both DOA matches - even 5-4 - they'll win this game. The other divisions are just too closely knit to have a clear winner in their other matches.
I think this game will be close regardless. While Optx vs. Allianz will be close, I think that that game will be decided by who wants it more, and by a much larger margin. Core and Salvo - regardless of who wants it more - will come down to a point or two.
Look for Anomaly to play well and the Counter Strike match to make the game close again for either team in a big deficit. This game will come down to the last game, trust me. If this game is a blowout, I might not predict the last game.
Here's how I predict the match plays out:
DOAM: 5-3 Core
DOAF: 5-2 Salvo
FIFA: 1-0 Core
FORZA: 4-3 Core
Core wins: 22-19
As close as this match is, I think we'll see a clear winner. One of these two teams will come out huge, and win by at least four points. That might be a bit surprising, but I think it's definitely likely.
Optx's team has been strong, taking a solid win over the Dallas Venom. Their play against what was the arguably the best team in the Worlds was fantastic. Allianz crushed Underground in a rather surprising matchup. Who would have guessed they'd win by so many points, winning four out of the five games and losing the fifth in overtime. That's incredible, to say the least.
While Optx has a small edge over Allianz, I don't know if it will be as close as statistics would say. I think it will be close, but give it more points than a one point difference.
For Optx to win, they have to keep playing with momentum. They've taken down Dallas, London, and New York. That's a pretty impressive resume. If they play like it's do or die (note: it is), they can take this win. Nothing is a guarantee to win tonight, except perhaps Vanessa, but even Vanessa needs to win by her usual positive three. All the other squads need to step up like they can, and this team could take the win.
If Allianz wants to win, they have to pick their game up in Source. They haven't played fantastically well so far, and many have said their under performing. If they play like that, Optx will role over them. Both Optx and Allianz's Source teams have had chemistry issues so far, but it looks like Optx has figured it out. If Allianz hasn't come together, expect trouble for them.
As much as I would like Optx to complete the Cinderella story, I'm on the fence with them. They have had ups and downs all season and they've gotten hot when they need to. However, I wouldn't be surprised to see Allianz come away with a win. Personally, I don't want another All-American World Final. However, I think it will happen, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Allianz be the first Non-American team to make the Finals.
Here's how I predict the match plays out:
DOAM: 5-4 Allianz
DOAF: 5-2 Optx
FIFA: 3-2 Allianz
FORZA: 4-3 Allianz
Optx wins: 25-21
Good luck tonight, players. See half of you in the Finals!
Staff Member
!!!
Staff Member
open up and die!