Welcome back to EGamersWorld.
We continue to review the group stage of the Bali Major 2023 with "awesome" bo2 matches. Next up is a betting tip on the match between Invictus Gaming and Execration within Group A. Truth be told, there is not much hope from this match and it looks like the weakest of the first stream.
Enthusiasm remains only because it is a Major and there is hope to see its participants at the peak of their form. However, in relation to Execration and Invictus Gaming this works out so badly.
Both teams have shown very erratic play all season. There's no confidence in their rethinking of the situation, so I expect a passing game for the Prefects.
Nevertheless, it's worth sorting out the game, and that's what we'll do. Let's try to find the winner of the match, if any, and analyze the position of the team on the threshold of the last Major.
Let's go.
Invictus Gaming uniforms
Let's begin with the analysis of the Invictus Gaming's form. In this match, the team will play in the status of favorites.
Bookmakers believe in the success of the Chinese team. The pre-match odds on IG's victory against Execration is 2.6.
Frankly, it's not entirely clear why IG are favoured. As far as I'm concerned, the team hasn't even gained an advantage against the not-so-top Execration this season.
They haven't played to their advantage because of their very mediocre performance. Take a look for yourself.
In the first round of DPC 2023 Invictus Gaming finished in the Top 6, almost forfeiting their place in the top division, but they didn't. Naturally, Major e was out of the question.
The second round of DPC 2023: China Upper Division was also out of the question, but somehow Invictus Gaming made it there. The team finished in the top-3 in their home league only to crash to the ground in a big hurry: Invictus Gaming finished in the top-18 at the Berlin Major 2023.
DPC's third season offers hope for an IG comeback. The team now travels to Bali with a top-2 DPC in their pocket.
- IG line-up: Emo, Dust, 项羽, Pyw, qyqx.
Perhaps the spike in quality was influenced by the new offlaneer. 项羽 gained experience playing PSG.LGD under xiao8, and that doesn't go away. Which is true, there's not much experience playing on the international stage for these IGs, the only one they have is a top-18 in Berlin, which is pretty much so-so.
The most popular Invictus Gaming heroes
The most sought-after peak IG is Timbersaw. The character has appeared in team games 5 times and has a 60% win rate.
Other picks are Spirit Breaker (4 matches, 75% wins), Medusa (4 matches, 75% wins), Silencer (4 matches, 50% wins).
Also had Void Spirit (3 matches, 100% wins), Brewmaster (3 matches, 100% wins), Monkey King (3 matches, 66% wins).
Form Execration
We continue with the analysis of the match form of Execration. In this match, the team will play as an outsider.
Execration has few chances to win, but they are there. The odds to win are at 4.5.
Given the format of the match is bo2 roulette, this is a workable situation. Such a figure gives reason to think about the potential success of the Southeast Asian representative.
In the first round of DPC 2023: SEA Upper Division Execration took first place in the home league. They played 7 matches, winning 6 of them. This gave Execration the opportunity to qualify for the first Major of the season, the Lima Major 2023, which however did not end well for them. In Lima, their region's top 1 team finished in the top 16.
Later, they finished second in the DPC 2023: SEA Upper Division and again qualified for the Major. Then Execration "repeated" the success of Lima and at the Berlin Major 2023 they finished in the TOP 16.
The squad also tried to play in the DreamLeague Season 19 and they partially succeeded: In the 19th DL season the team finished in the TOP 10.
- Execration roster: Palos, Bob, Tinom Shanks, Carlo.
The last tournament for Execration before The Bali Major 2023 was DPC 2023: SEA Upper Division Tour 3. It was a Top 3 event, which doesn't really make much difference.
The most popular Execration heroes
The most picked Execration hero was Tiny (10 matches, 50% win rate).
Other picks were Mirana (6 games, 83% wins), Visage (6 games, 83% wins), Beastmaster (6 games, 50% wins), and Batrider (6 games, 33% wins).
History of head-to-head encounters
In the 2023 season, the teams have not met in head-to-head encounters. This match is the clubs' debut.
Match outcome
In this encounter, I expect a more or less even fight, as the teams are actually worth each other. Both squads can only boast "success" in the domestic league, but incompetence on the international stage.
The most acceptable result for me would be a draw. I think that's what they'll settle for.
Bottom line: a draw.
