The opening stage of the Shanghai Major has already brought disappointment to many pick ’em challenge fans, but it’s only going to get tougher. We have sixteen of the best teams in the world left, and today CS.MONEY Blog will tell you about the Shanghai Major favorites.
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Who to place for 0-3 in Shanghai Major Pick’ems?
Let’s start with something easy, simply because loser teams can’t ruin two predictions at once. Trying to predict potential matchups is quite a tricky task because after two Best of 1 rounds, there will inevitably be some chaos. So, let’s think about potentially weaker teams. There are several options:
- Wildcard Gaming. While placing them in 0-3 during the opening stage was a big mistake, in the elimination stage, things aren’t so clear-cut. First, Wildcard made it through just by the skin of their teeth. Second, more teams now know how to play against Wildcard. Every magic has its end, and for the Americans, this might be the stopping point.
- 3DMAX. The French team stunned many during the European RMR B, but here, there will be fewer surprises. Plus, the players will face teams that are already in competitive form after the opening stage, and that’s an important factor. There’s a high chance that in their opening match against MiBR, one of the teams will have a 0-3 record.
- MiBR. The Brazilians also seem weaker than many of their opponents. The only thing saving them is their starting opponent, 3DMAX, who they might beat in a Best of 1, thanks to them being warmed up after the opening stage.
- BIG. Their situation is similar to Wildcard Gaming. The team has already faced some difficulties in the opening stage, and things will only get harder from here.
Favorites of the Shanghai Major
Let’s move on to the teams that have a good chance of making it to the playoffs and also fighting for the trophy itself. As usual, for 3-0, we recommend picking either a team you’re really confident about or a trickster team that could either perform spectacularly or fail.
- Natus Vincere. The reigning defending major champions of this year have shown that their triumph in Copenhagen wasn’t a one-time fluke. The team’s coach, B1ad3, has built a solid system that provides amazing stability. However, even though they are favourites and have a good chance of winning the tournament, we won’t be putting them in 3-0 because in the first round, Na’Vi faces Team Liquid, and there could be an upset.
- G2 Esports. NiKo is especially dangerous when he doesn’t have the pressure of delivering high results. We’ve already seen G2 Esports perform and win major tournaments, and this lineup is incredibly strong. However, their first match against the fiery The MongolZ doesn’t promise anything easy. You can put G2 Esports in 3-0, but we won’t do that.
- Team Vitality. The Paris Major champions are playing consistently well, and unlike Na’Vi and G2, their first opponent, GamerLegion, is not as dangerous. They can win against GL with ease and then get into the tournament. Our first contender for 3-0.
- FaZe Clan. Another team with an incredibly high skill level. Their first match against Wildcard might be an easy walk in the park, but the issue lies in their relatively low seeding, which could come back to bite them. Nevertheless, they are a solid candidate for 3-0.
The choice for 3-0 is quite random. Unlike the opening stage, there are no obvious favourites here, and there are several interesting scenarios. We decided to pick Team Vitality and… The MongolZ because they could surprise us, and this is a team that’s ready to catch momentum and have the tournament of their lives.
Who Will Make it to the Playoffs?
Natus Vincere, G2 Esports, Team Vitality, and FaZe Clan are reliable options. The likelihood of these teams being eliminated is very low, and the question is whether they will make it to the playoffs undefeated or with losses.
MOUZ, Team Spirit, and The MongolZ are good candidates to make it further. MOUZ has long been knocking on the door of the best teams, and they’ve been a tier-1 team throughout the year. Team Spirit has donk but lacks consistency. However, their overall level should be enough to make it to the playoffs. The MongolZ will be the tournament’s biggest surprise, simply because not many people have seen them in tier-1 tournaments, and yet they are ready to break into the world elite.
Finally, there’s also Team Liquid, who seem to have found their game in Shanghai and passed the opening stage easily. Their strong performance in the opening stage gives a positive outlook for the rest of the tournament.
In conclusion, the Shanghai Major is shaping up to be a very unpredictable tournament. Many pick ’ems were burned during the opening stage, and it’s only going to get harder from here. The diamond coin for the tournament in China may be a rare one, but we’re guaranteed exciting and intense matches!
