The culmination of the second round of the Western European region is just around the corner. A new week of DPC 2023: WEU Upper Division games begins, and with it the key matches.
First up will be Gaimin Gladiators - Entity, followed by Team Liquid and Tundra Esports. This duel is what will be of interest to us.
The minimum programme for both clubs is Top 4 and they are fast approaching it. Before the start of the match, the teams share the first line.
Team Liquid share the first line with Tundra and GG. The team has 3 wins in 4 matches.
Tundra Esports, nominally breathing down Liquid's neck. The team has also won 3 games in 4 matches.
Let's figure out who will be the winner of this critical matchup and secure a temporary lead over their pursuers.
Team Liquid form
Let's start with the analysis of Team Liquid's form. The team is seen as the favourite to win this game.
Bookmakers put odds of 1.7 on Team Liquid's victory. Looking ahead, it should be noted that that number actually seals parity.
We shouldn't be surprised by that. Liquid were down from last season, because they were badly affected by the "departure" of Boxi for some time due to health problems.
Team Liquid line-up
Now the TL foursome is back and already starting to make an impact in the games. It's not enough to guarantee trouble-free wins in every game, but there's still time to get up to speed.
Team Liquid players
On the whole, Liquid are still the same as before. Still formidable performers, still a serious opponent and one of the best teams in terms of macro play.
Team Liquid's performance
Last season, Team Liquid played almost flawlessly in the top league. The team did not lose a single series while giving up only two cards.
Having made it to the Lima Major 2023, Team Liquid were placed in Group B, where they eventually proved their mettle. "Liquid" won their basket, closing with a score of 14-2, exactly the same as the DPC season.
As the Lima Major 2023 playoffs progressed, the team was well on their way to the grand final, but before the final wingers Boxi was forced to leave the tournament for health reasons. Thus Team Liquid fell to the bottom of the net.
In the losers, the Liquid managed to eliminate Talon and return to the top net final, where the Gladiators awaited them. With a replacement in the slot of four, Liquid were unable to compete with GG and lost.
In the first match of the second round, DPC Team Liquid extended their losing streak. Gaimin Gladiators did away with the Liquid with a score of 2-0.
Next up was a game against OG. The latter look miserable in the new round and they expectedly blew the series as Liquid closed the match 2-0 without any problems.
In the third match of DPC 2023 WEU Upper Division - Tour II, Team Liquid played against Nigma Galaxy. The duel ended in Liquid's favour, but not without problems, 2-1 for the Liquid.
Next up, it was a very fluid match. Liquid easily shut down Entity, leaving them no chance on two maps.
Team Liquid heroes
The most popular hero of the last round for Team Liquid was Treant Protector. The character appeared in spades 13 times and had a 76% win rate.
Nature`s Prophet and Tiny were also popular. Both appeared in spades 8 times, but the first has a win rate of 87% and the second has a win rate of 75.
There were also Tusk (7 games, 71% wins), Rubick (7 games, 57% wins), Snapfire (5 games, 100% wins).
Tundra Esports uniforms
Team Liquid's opponent in the battle for the sole top 1 of the regular season will be Tundra Esports. The champions of The International 2022 will play in the status of the outsider.
However, outsider sounds too loud. Bookmakers give the odds on a Tundra Esports victory in the region of 1.9.
In fact, this figure reflects the current state of affairs and parity between the teams in the standings. If you go back in time to the Lima Major 2023, then we can call Liquid the clear winner of the game, but since then a lot of water has flowed.
Tundra Esports line-up
Despite the absolutely "flooded" Lima Major 2023, Tundra decided to continue to play each other. The decision is understandable, because the roster is working, as we have seen from the experience of the same The International.
Tundra Esports players
- skiter
- Nine
- 33
- Saksa
- Sneyking
In fact, Tundra are no different than Liquid in terms of roster resilience and player predictability. Obviously, a new breath of air in the form of a patch is needed, for now the team is like an open book (albeit very dangerous) and they are easy to prepare for.
Tundra Esports performance
The team finished 3rd in the first round of DPC 2023: WEU - Upper Division. The team finished 4-3 and thanks to round-robin replay, qualified for the Lima Major 2023.
Tundra had a more confident showing in the BB Universe - Comics Zone. There, the reigning champions of The International managed to take first place, beating Spirit 3-2 in the final.
Lima Major 2023 ended miserably for Tundra Esports. Although they qualified for the playoffs from 6th place in the group, their journey was cut short in the first leg of the relegation round after their 1-2 draw with Aster.
In the new round of DPC 2023: WEU Upper Division, Tundra Esports made their debut with a match against OG (2-0). There were chances of falling behind on two maps, but Tiny by Saksa and Pango by Nine both turned things around in Tundra's favour.
Next, Tundra played against Entity. Not a chance for Fishman and company but 2-0 in favour of Tundra.
In the fourth match of the season, one of the main sensations of the tourney happened. Tundra Esports absolutely no idea gave the match Ooredoo Thunders with a score of 0-2, losing on the first map due to performance and overshooting the second with outright nonsense against OT heroes.
Tundra Esports Heroes.
Undying remains Tundra's most popular character. The hero was picked 9 times, of which he won 7 matches.
Lina has appeared in 8 matches and has a 75% win rate. Also picked DOOM in 8 games, winning half of his games.
Enigma has appeared in spades of 7 matches with 71% wins, and Mirana, with a similar number of matches, has a crushing 28% win rate.
Pango and Tiny remain the successful characters for Tundra. Both have won 2 cards each
in the first match.
History of personal confrontations
The teams played each other in the first round of the DPC. Liquid won then with a score of 2-0.
Match outcome
This matchup has every chance of seeing a close game, but I will single out Team Liquid as the winner of the game. They are drafting steadily this season, while Tundra has problems with it.
I don't rule out a full-fledged bo3, as the teams are at the top of the standings for a reason.
Bottom line: Liquid win.
