A loss to C9 did nothing to deter FlyQuest from taking care of business on Sunday versus Dignitas. Will they be able to keep up their success in Week &?
Saturday: Vs. Evil Geniuses (5-7)
FlyQuest’s first matchup with EG ended in a demoralizing loss. A big part of that loss came from Daniele “Jiizuke” Di Mauro getting two kills from roams down botside. Those two kills helped EG hold Trsitan “PowerOfEvil” Schrage to midlane instead of helping to make plays around the map. Additionally, Colin “Kumo” Zhao played weakside very well for EG, not letting Omran “V1per” Shoura and Lucas “Santorin” Tao Kilmer Larsen apply pressure topside effectively.
While FlyQuest likely don’t have to worry about that specific scenario again (Jason “WildTurtle” Tran and Lee “IgNar” Dong-geun have played significantly better overall than in that game), there are a few reasons to be worried about EG as an opponent: EG actually has better objective control than FlyQuest. EG lead FlyQuest in Herald and drake percentage, as well as first kill, first turret, first dragon, and first baron percentage. The two teams are tied in overall dragon control (a testament to FlyQuest’s mid and lategame), but those early objectives may result in a lead that could be hard to overcome for the boys in yellow and green.
If FlyQuest want to win, they must not let EG snowball early. Even though FlyQuest are top-tier teamfighters, it is still possible for EG to disrupt FlyQuest’s dragon soul win condition with a strong enough early lead. If FlyQuest can mitigate early losses, they should come out on top. But EG are a scrappy opponent and will likely give them trouble.
Matchup to Watch: Jungle
If the name of the game is objective control, then jungle is the matchup to watch. Santorin has been crushing early games, leading the league in GD@10 and sitting comfortably in third for XPD@10. Dennis “Svenskeren” Johnsen, however, has not. The category he leads all junglers in, deaths and death percentage. Now, this isn’t because Sven is inting. Sven needs to take initiative for his team to make plays, much like Juan “Contractz” Arturo Garcia (another former C9 jungler) did during his time on Golden Guardians. All of this is to say that jungle is both the most important matchup and the matchup where the most action is likely to occur. Keep an eye out for EG to attempt to repeat their success in ganking FlyQuest’s botlane, and for Santorin to invade Sven early.
Prediction: FlyQuest will win, but it won’t look pretty
Sunday Match; Vs. TSM (6-6)
TSM sits at .500 after another winless weekend. This loss likely stings all the more, as they lost to TL with Tactical subbed in and CLG, the definitive worst team in the league. TSM will either be out for blood and playing out of their minds or tilted off the face of the earth. The problem is that no one knows which TSM will show up. But given that TSM have to face C9 on Saturday, and they’ve either gone 2-0 or 0-2 each we, it’s a safe bet that the latter will show up. If that’s the case, then FlyQuest’s teamfighting will carry them to victory. If that’s not the case, FlyQuest will still win, for much the same reason. It just won’t be as elegant.
TSM have great early games, led by Joshua “Dardoch” Hartnett’s aggressive jungling. Ranked third in early game rating, first turret percentage, and Gold Difference at 15, TSM know how to get early leads. They just struggle to convert those leads into clean victories. They have yet to secure an Elder Drake and have dragon and baron control rates of roughly 40% (43 and 41%, respectively). TSM could get away with this for a while, but they’ve been slipping. Their loss to CLG was particularly ugly; it was clear they had indecisive shotcalling. That won’t stand against the far more coordinated FlyQuest. Add to that fact that TSM faces an oppressive C9 squad on Saturday, and Week 7 looks to be another one of TSM’s 0-2 weeks.
Matchup to Watch: Midlane
If PowerOfEvil wants to solidify himself in the MVP conversation, this is the matchup to do it. PowerOfEvil’s teamplay has been exceptional, but his laning has been hindered by his willingness to sacrifice farm to facilitate team plays. Søren “Bjergsen” Bjerg, despite his team’s struggles, has been his normal exceptional self in lane. If PowerOfEvil wants to prove to the doubters that he’s a real contender, dumpstering Bjergsen (or at least gaining a solid lead over him) could do just that.
Prediction: FlyQuest Wins
What are your predictions for Week Seven? Tell Richard what you think @Imp_Richard
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