The playoffs kicked off at the last tournament before the short break. The main stage has already brought us a surprise in the OB Esports x Neon and RNG match.
Well, since all our outsiders decided to show solid Dota at once, it is definitely not an option to miss the match between SMG and Aster. Moreover, the latter seem to be in bad shape and demonstrate a very crumpled game.
We are figuring out who will be stronger in this match and advance further in the standings.
Team Aster Form
Team Aster will play as the nominal favorite in this match. There shouldn't be any questions, but they are.
And the main one is what about Aster? Either the tournament is not a priority for them, or Aster just plays badly.
And it seemed that the second option should disappear, because Aster's reshuffle went well on paper. In fact, a different situation turns out.
Team Aster Roster
- Monet
- Ori
- Xxs
- Boboka
- Siamese C.
I still bet that Aster just decided to "experiment" and do not prioritize this tournament. I see no other explanation for their performance in the group stage.
Team Aster Recent Results
- Draw with IG 1-1
- Lose from OB Esports x Neon with a score of 0-2
- Draw with TNC Predator 1-1
- Defeat Invictus Gaming Vitality 1-0
- Beat TNC Predator 1-0
But the replay remained with Aster. This means that the team is still aiming to play at the Huya Winter Invitational 2021.
Heroes Aster
In patch 7.30 Team Aster favored Pangolier (11 matches, 45% wins), Storm Spirit (10 matches, 70% wins), Chen (9 matches, 77% wins).
The most successful heroes of the patch: Batrider (3 matches, 100% wins), Rubick (2 matches, 100% wins), Slark (2 matches, 100% wins).
Team SMG Form
Team SMG will act as the catch-up in this match. It is difficult to disagree.
Even with Aster's depressing performance in the group stage, SMGs look even worse. The fact that MagMa was out of work at this tournament is more luck for MidOne and the company.
Team SMG Roster
- Midone
- MooN
- Raging Potato
- ah fu
- Roddgeee
The players are eminent, but I'm afraid their peak has already passed. Now SMG looks like a typical TIR-1.5 team.
Team SMG latest matches
- Lose at BOOM 0-2
- Lose at Vici Gaming 0-2
- Lose at Xtreme Gaming 0-2
- Lose from RNG with a score of 0-2
- Defeat MagMa 2-0
If SMG's next opponent was not Aster, I would not have thought about the outcome of the fight. Fortunately, for SMG, the Chinese grand in its current form is not the worst rival.
SMG Heroes
Most played heroes in the 7:30 patch: Earthshaker (40 matches, 70% win), Bloodseeker (25 matches, 76% win), Pangolier (22 matches, 86% win).
Most successful heroes in patch 7.30: Necrophos (8 matches, 100% win), Specter (5 matches, 100% win), Winter Wyvern (3 matches, 100% win).
History of personal confrontations
Previously, the teams did not face each other in official matches. This fight will be the debut face-to-face fight.
Match outcome
In this fight, I will believe in Aster's “lethargy” and bet on +1.5 from SMG. Although the risk is still extremely high.
Outcome: +1.5 on SMG.
