G2 needs a Miracle: Group A Results and Predictions

Group A

1.  (2-1) ROX Tigers (ROX)
2. (2-1) Counter Logic Gaming (CLG)
3. (2-1) Albus NoX Luna (ANX)
4. (0-3) G2 Esports (G2)

THURSDAY, SEPT. 29

• G2  vs. CLG – 4:30 p.m. PDT CLG WIN
• ROX vs. ANX – 5:30 p.m. PDT ROX WIN

SATURDAY, OCT. 1

• CLG vs. ANX –  4:00 p.m. PDT ANX WIN
• ROX vs. G2 –  5:00 p.m. PDT ROX WIN

SUNDAY, OCT. 2

• ANX vs. G2 –  6:00 p.m. PDT ANX WIN
• CLG vs. ROX –  7:00 p.m. PDT CLG WIN

Coming off the back of the first week of Worlds 2016, Group A has become a strategic battlefield for those two spaces to get into the last eight. G2 Esports, who many believed would cruise into the last eight, seems near enough completely out of it, unless a miracle occurs in the results. They find themselves needing to win their next three matches after a distant week one performance, which has been a shadow of the team’s regional successes. Going into week two, I don’t see any resurgence from G2; I don’t expect them to go out with a whimper, as they know their performance can determine who goes into the last eight. As such, I can see them picking up at least one win, but I don’t see them getting the three wins they would require to advance, either taking a win off of CLG or ANX. My overall predictions are that ROX will win the group. Even after their loss to CLG this week, I feel they won’t allow the Aurelian Sol to go through again and will prioritise either banning it or take it as their first option instead. As for who comes out in second, I feel that will be determined by whoever takes the results around them both physically and mentally. The CLG vs. ANX game will be the big one, with the winner of that knowing they have everything to lose going forward. With that in mind, these are my predictions on how the group will turn out in the end. First will be ROX, hands down, and I thinkCLG will take the second spot. I feel ANX will find the second week more difficult with a lot more priority bans going out against Likkrit and Kira. I also feel that if G2 will beat anyone in the second week, it will be ANX. I hope I am wrong, as I would love ANX to go through to the last eight, but right now, that is what my analysis tells me based on the results from this past week. Regardless of how it turns out, it will prove to be an interesting week going through and all eyes will be on Group A to see who comes out on top. Here are the upcoming matches in week two. Let us know if you agree or disagree with these predictions:

GROUP STAGE – WEEK TWO PREDICTIONS

• G2 vs. ROX –  ROX
• ANX vs. CLG –  CLG
• CLG vs. G2 –  CLG
• ANX vs. ROX –  ROX
• G2 vs. ANX –  G2
• ROX vs. CLG –  ROX

Who do you think will advance out of Group A? Let us know by commenting below or tweeting us @GAMURScom. Adam Newell is a writer for @GAMURScom and can be contacted in ways displayed below: Email: adam.newell10@outlook.com Twitter: @MonkeyKingHero