NAVI and Heroic will meet in the last quarterfinal of PGL Major Antwerp 2022. It is hard to imagine another equally equal match, in which both teams have a long history of confrontations and are eager to punish each other. However, in terms of the game, the Danes are far from being in the best shape, while the Born to Win are gradually finding themselves. Therefore, I will not look for pitfalls and try to believe in NAVI.
Form NAVI
The second team of the world ranking performed well in the main stage of PGL Major Antwerp 2022. We can say that the team is close to the form it was last November in Stockholm. In addition, "Born to Win" has already managed to show character, remembering the strong-willed victory over G2. Yes, in some places NAVI is not pushing, starting from Mirage against NIP. But in general, the team looks much more interesting than a month ago. And most importantly, the team is attacking, which in the current meta is absent from many other participants in the ¼ finals.
Latest NAVI results:
- Victory over Vitality with a score of 2:0.
- Victory over forZe with a score of 2:0.
- Victory over G2 with a score of 19:17.
- Victory over BIG with a score of 16:8.
- Victory over NIP with a score of 2:1.
The best NAVI maps:
- Ancient - 100% win rate.
- Mirage - 80% of wins.
- Dust 2 - 80% of wins.
- Overpass - 67% of wins.
- Inferno - 57% of wins.
Needless to say, the Born to Win will be ditching the Vertigo card.
Form Heroic
The fifth team in the world ranking nevertheless reached the playoffs of PGL Major Antwerp 2022. However, one must understand that the Danes faced big problems even in the last match. The way the team played in defense on Overpass is incomprehensible to the mind. And if Heroic continues in the same spirit (and the bells rang in the first rounds), the team risks becoming an easy victim. On the plus side, we understand that on stage the Danes play somewhat stiffly, obviously not gaining experience due to the whole story with the coronavirus.
Heroic's latest results:
- Victory over Team Liquid with a score of 16:11.
- Defeat from Team Spirit with a score of 12:16.
- Victory over G2 with a score of 19:17.
- Lost to ENCE with a score of 1:2.
- Victory over Vitality with a score of 2:1.
Best Heroic Maps:
- Vertigo - 88% of wins.
- Inferno - 80% win rate.
- Overpass - 78% of wins.
- Nuke - 67% of wins.
Let me remind you that the Danish team has been refusing the Dust 2 map for a long time.
Statistics of meetings NAVI — Heroic
Within the framework of the current season, the teams held two meetings:
- NAVI's victory in the ESL Pro League Season 15 with a score of 2:0.
- Heroic's victory at PGL Major Antwerp 2022 Europe RMR A with a score of 2:1.
In both cases, NAVI picked Mirage.
Prediction for the match NAVI — Heroic
I have a feeling that NAVI is not just showing up on the Nuke map, preparing something special. On the other hand, the "Born to Win" is so cool on Ancient and Mirage that the Danes can simply overlook.
In any case, this meeting will be the decoration of the quarterfinals, since some people can bury themselves in advance with their sharp cries. However, with a game like this, I don't believe in Heroic, which, apart from pistol rounds, doesn't do anything.
Therefore, here I would recommend betting on the victory of the NAVI team.
