Kinda sad to not see much activity here, I think there’s quite a bit to talk about as far as games played / teams brought so far and just how the meta seems to be changing a bit. But on to predicts we go.
CBU vs Poek - 51:49
It feels weird to not bold Poek when he’s looked very good in his first two wins and he’s 2-0 as opposed to CBU’s 0-2. Sure, CBU had a really unfortunate and game-changing Focus Blast miss last week, but that stuff is bound to happen, and the fact that it did is what makes me bold him this week. Anyone that knows CBU will know that he’s definitely heated over that and is hungry to get his first win this tour. I’m still a bit skeptical of the teams he’s brought - not because they’re bad (they aren’t), just because I wouldn’t really expect teams like that out of him. It’s good to try and throw people off, but imo CBU is best when he uses his aggressive playstyle with offense to just outplay and put his opponents in tough corners. Regardless of what he brings, he’ll most definitely have to do that against Poek, who’s looked really comfortable in this tier so far and gave Ramo little to no breathing room last week. Were this SM I’d bold CBU comfortably, but with Poek’s recent performances, this is bound to be an extremely close battle and my highlight of the week. Hoping CBU turns it around here, gl to both, give us a good one!
Ramolost vs SoulWind - 40:60
If I’m being honest, I wasn’t a big fan of Ramo’s team choice last week. It kinda gave me an ORAS vibe (stick MAero > Noivern lol) and I think these types of structures just really bank on netting a good matchup or playing matchups very precisely to make progress. After a teapot win week 1, I need to see more from Ramo before I bold him against someone like SW. I haven’t been particularly “wowed” by SW’s performances yet, though - week 1 he somehow won from an unfavorable spot against booty, and I think viv could’ve played a more aggressive game to give SW some trouble last week too. His teams haven’t stricken me as anything amazing, but he is 2-0 and has infinitely more experience than Ramo. I really want to say that I could see Ramo having a good shot with a good matchup, but given how SW has somehow won both previous weeks with not the best of matchups, that’s not enough to convince me yet.
Accelgor vs Sabella - 51:49
This one might look kinda weird to some. Accel has more experience in the tier and is off to a very hot start, beating Adam and 6-0’ing upcomer Lily, while booty hasn’t looked as good as I know he can, even if he did have an unfortunate Power Whip miss last week. On paper, all signs would point to Accel winning this one comfortably. However, I know booty will be very eager and motivated to bounce back. His builds have also been pretty diverse as of late, making it harder for Accel to gain the builder advantage that might sway this more in his favor. I’m honestly expecting a really close game here between two good friends that will come down to a crucial turn or two to decide the outcome.
Askov vs Luigi - 55:45
Really interesting matchup. After a bad week for the Serpents, they look to turn things around by shuffling their lineup a bit. I was actually a fan of how Askov was playing during Open, while I haven’t been a fan of Luigi’s showing so far whatsoever. Call me a doubter, but no Ghost resist week 1 into very... questionable plays last week hasn’t convinced me enough to bold him yet. Both have decent support in viv and hs, respectively, but I’m expecting Askov to be eager given an opportunity and can’t favor Luigi yet until I see better performances.
CBU vs Poek - 51:49
It feels weird to not bold Poek when he’s looked very good in his first two wins and he’s 2-0 as opposed to CBU’s 0-2. Sure, CBU had a really unfortunate and game-changing Focus Blast miss last week, but that stuff is bound to happen, and the fact that it did is what makes me bold him this week. Anyone that knows CBU will know that he’s definitely heated over that and is hungry to get his first win this tour. I’m still a bit skeptical of the teams he’s brought - not because they’re bad (they aren’t), just because I wouldn’t really expect teams like that out of him. It’s good to try and throw people off, but imo CBU is best when he uses his aggressive playstyle with offense to just outplay and put his opponents in tough corners. Regardless of what he brings, he’ll most definitely have to do that against Poek, who’s looked really comfortable in this tier so far and gave Ramo little to no breathing room last week. Were this SM I’d bold CBU comfortably, but with Poek’s recent performances, this is bound to be an extremely close battle and my highlight of the week. Hoping CBU turns it around here, gl to both, give us a good one!
Ramolost vs SoulWind - 40:60
If I’m being honest, I wasn’t a big fan of Ramo’s team choice last week. It kinda gave me an ORAS vibe (stick MAero > Noivern lol) and I think these types of structures just really bank on netting a good matchup or playing matchups very precisely to make progress. After a teapot win week 1, I need to see more from Ramo before I bold him against someone like SW. I haven’t been particularly “wowed” by SW’s performances yet, though - week 1 he somehow won from an unfavorable spot against booty, and I think viv could’ve played a more aggressive game to give SW some trouble last week too. His teams haven’t stricken me as anything amazing, but he is 2-0 and has infinitely more experience than Ramo. I really want to say that I could see Ramo having a good shot with a good matchup, but given how SW has somehow won both previous weeks with not the best of matchups, that’s not enough to convince me yet.
Accelgor vs Sabella - 51:49
This one might look kinda weird to some. Accel has more experience in the tier and is off to a very hot start, beating Adam and 6-0’ing upcomer Lily, while booty hasn’t looked as good as I know he can, even if he did have an unfortunate Power Whip miss last week. On paper, all signs would point to Accel winning this one comfortably. However, I know booty will be very eager and motivated to bounce back. His builds have also been pretty diverse as of late, making it harder for Accel to gain the builder advantage that might sway this more in his favor. I’m honestly expecting a really close game here between two good friends that will come down to a crucial turn or two to decide the outcome.
Askov vs Luigi - 55:45
Really interesting matchup. After a bad week for the Serpents, they look to turn things around by shuffling their lineup a bit. I was actually a fan of how Askov was playing during Open, while I haven’t been a fan of Luigi’s showing so far whatsoever. Call me a doubter, but no Ghost resist week 1 into very... questionable plays last week hasn’t convinced me enough to bold him yet. Both have decent support in viv and hs, respectively, but I’m expecting Askov to be eager given an opportunity and can’t favor Luigi yet until I see better performances.
Poek vs SoulWind 
Lilburr vs CBU 
Accelgor vs Askov 
hs vs Ramolost 
Sabella vs Adaam 
