Games (EDT)
- 4:00 p.m. Dallas Empire vs. Toronto Ultra
- 5:30 p.m. Atlanta FaZe vs. OpTic Gaming Los Angeles
DAL (23-11) vs. TOR (9-13)
Both of these series should be fairly cut and dry. The Empire were swept by FaZe on Saturday, but the Search and Destroy went to Round 11, the Domination was within five points, and even Round 1 Hardpoint was relatively close. In short, they're still a ridiculous good team, and I'm hoping to see another classic Empire, FaZe battle in Sunday's final.
Standing in the way is an Ultra squad that has also seemingly benefited from this unknown presence of home-field advantage. Look, maybe the Ultra ultimately win Round 4 Hardpoint against the Huntsmen, after all, Chicago did end up losing the ensuing series 3-1 to OpTic Gaming later in the day. But a hurricane knocking out Prestinni's Internet certainly didn't help matters, and it's not like they were incredibly in either the Domination or Round 1 Hardpoint either.
The Ultra have played really well in Search and Destroy though, and I think it's entirely possible they take Round 2 off the Empire. Cammy's been a living nightmare in the mode for CWL teams, and the Empire could face some trouble even with having some of the best shot callers in the world just as Clayster and C6.
If you're looking to get any sort of savings, taking the TOR Team at $1,800 instead of either of the two favorites could give you just enough wiggle room
Games (EDT)
- 4:00 p.m. Dallas Empire vs. Toronto Ultra
- 5:30 p.m. Atlanta FaZe vs. OpTic Gaming Los Angeles
DAL (23-11) vs. TOR (9-13)
Both of these series should be fairly cut and dry. The Empire were swept by FaZe on Saturday, but the Search and Destroy went to Round 11, the Domination was within five points, and even Round 1 Hardpoint was relatively close. In short, they're still a ridiculous good team, and I'm hoping to see another classic Empire, FaZe battle in Sunday's final.
Standing in the way is an Ultra squad that has also seemingly benefited from this unknown presence of home-field advantage. Look, maybe the Ultra ultimately win Round 4 Hardpoint against the Huntsmen, after all, Chicago did end up losing the ensuing series 3-1 to OpTic Gaming later in the day. But a hurricane knocking out Prestinni's Internet certainly didn't help matters, and it's not like they were incredibly in either the Domination or Round 1 Hardpoint either.
The Ultra have played really well in Search and Destroy though, and I think it's entirely possible they take Round 2 off the Empire. Cammy's been a living nightmare in the mode for CWL teams, and the Empire could face some trouble even with having some of the best shot callers in the world just as Clayster and C6.
If you're looking to get any sort of savings, taking the TOR Team at $1,800 instead of either of the two favorites could give you just enough wiggle room to get each of the best players from DAL/ATL in your lineup. The odds of either of these games going past four maps is pretty low, so balancing a roster with both Dallas and FaZe players to offset the unlikelihood of an extended series is the smartest approach, particularly for cash lineups.
Prediction: DAL 3-1
DAL Players to Target: Shotzzy ($9,600), Huke ($8,600)
TOR Players to Target: Cammy ($8,000), Methodz ($7,600) TOR Team ($1,800)
ATL (25-6) vs. OGLA (10-16)
I just don't know what to think of FaZe at this point. Depending on the weekend, Atlanta is easily the best team in the league, and are unquestionably among the top-four teams overall. It certainly it appears like they are leaning closer to the former this weekend, completely annihilating an Empire squad that just won a tournament in dominate fashion the week.
I get concerned about projecting matchups this late in the tournament though, as FaZe, and honestly Dallas too, probably don't want to show their optimal strategies ahead of Champs especially since both teams are locked into two byes entering the $4.6 million tournament.
Playing a bit closer to the vest could allow for OpTic Gaming, especially, to have an easier time at an upset. One of OpTic/Ultra will vault into the top-8 and thus, the upper bracket of CoD Champs, regardless of Sunday's outcome, but the "who" will largely depend on if one of these teams can outright win their first matchup of this slate. OpTic seemingly have the best chance, particularly with the way Drazah has been playing as of late, but their biggest advantage (SMG play) is nothing compared to what FaZe can throw out.
There's really only two ways this slate can go: the chalkiest of chalk, or incredibly wonky. Loading up on the favorites from both matchups should help you cash in either of those scenarios, but favoring one matchup or the other will likely be the difference for tournament lineups.
Prediction: ATL 3-1
ATL Players to Target: Simp ($9,400), aBeZy ($9,000)
OGLA Playser to Target: Drazah ($8,400), Kuavo ($7,000)
