Gears of War Pro Circuit Mexico is now one day away and the hype of new rosters, unknown teams and upset opportunities are all brewing as we approach the final day before all the action kicks off in great fashion. With that said, I will break down my predictions for each group, as well as the final placings, and why I feel each team will earn their spot in the top-eight.
Group A
OpTic Gaming: 3-0
Enigma6: 2-1
Onslaught: 1-2
Open Bracket Team: 0-3
I feel these choices are pretty obvious. OpTic is just too strong of a team to even bet against at this point. Aside from winning the last two events, just the fact that in London they came back and double-dipped eUnited in the grand finals shows how strong of a team they really are. As for Enigma6, after watching a couple streams, this team shows such great potential to have an upset at some point throughout this tournament. I think they are a safe bet to make it out of groups and possibly even make a run in the playoff bracket.
Group B
Echo Fox: 3-0
Panda Global: 2-1
Splyce: 1-2
Open Bracket Team: 0-3
With Group B, I think Echo Fox is sure to take the top spot. The trade involving them and eUnited, in my opinion, strengthened both teams very much. I feel that the teams both got players that fit their situations better, and this weekend will be a showcase for how the new teams perform, but Echo Fox should easily go 3-0.
In the other matchup, I think the fact that Splyce is considered the best Latin American team and they are playing at home puts a substantial amount of pressure on them as a team. This may cause them to crack under the pressure of winning in Mexico to a fiery and aggressive Panda team. Now, if Splyce does not crack, then my prediction may come out to be wrong, but for now, I have Panda advancing to the playoffs.
Group C
Team EnVyUs: 3-0
Epsilon Esports: 2-1
Heavenlyz: 1-2
Open Bracket Team: 0-3
Everyone should have EnVyUs coming out of this group without a shadow of a doubt. The EnVyUs squad just has too much experience and overall raw skill in my opinion. Alongside EnVyUs, I feel Epsilon is a definite choice, with their only loss coming to EnVyUs. Now do not get me wrong, we have never seen the small Latin team known as Heavenlyz, and they could come out and upset, but the chances of this are very slim and that is why I have Epsilon advancing.
Group D
Team Allegiance: 3-0
eUnited: 2-1
Aztec Gaming: 1-2
Open Bracket Team: 0-3
This is probably the group I’m most excited to watch coming into this weekend. With the trade involving eUnited, and considering how strong Allegiance looks, I cannot tell you how excited I am to watch these two teams go head-to-head on LAN. The reason I have Allegiance beating eUnited is due to the trade after London. Now this game can go either way; eUnited easily has the potential to beat Allegiance, but I just think the hype is on Allegiance’s side this weekend and they will come out of their group on top for this event.
Playoff Bracket
Now that we have made it to the playoffs, I will break down the placings of the advancing teams and why they will earn these spot. I will not be going match by match because my guru prediction skills are not on that level, but I can tell you where I think each team will exit the event.
Eighth Place: Panda Global
Now with my prediction of Panda advancing out of groups, I do not believe they have the stamina or skill to make it far in this event, as once they make it to the playoffs, they will most likely play EnVyUs or OpTic. I do not think they have the experience to compete against either of those teams.
Seventh Place: Epsilon Esports
Epsilon has a good team and they can be consistent, but after the London event, they just are not showing the strength needed to compete with the North American powerhouses. I think after losing their first playoff match, they will drop down to losers with their heads hanging and let emotion get the better of them.
Sixth Place: Echo Fox
After their trade with eUnited, I just feel this team got the short end of the stick. This team still has lot of talent and has the potential to make a good run, but at the same time, after only being a team for a couple weeks, I don’t think they can make a good playoff run in their current state; maybe next event, but definitely not at this one.
Fifth Place: Enigma6
I have high hopes for this team. Since this is their first true event as a team, I’m slightly skeptical but also hopeful. This team has very good slayers from what I have seen, and at the same time, the one thing working against them is their inexperience. I do think there is true potential but we will have to wait for this weekend to find out.
Fourth Place: eUnited
After their loss in London in a truly upsetting manner, this team set out to make sure that would not happen again. Well, that is exactly what they did when they acquired Xcells and Soto. They are going to come in swinging for a championship at this event and make sure they do not lose in such a fashion once again. Now with that said, they will not make it to the grand final to lose like that again; this team is not ready and not tuned enough for a championship run. I think my top-three teams are too finely-tuned for eUnited to upset.
Third Place: Team Allegiance
I truly like this team a lot. It is a team that has so much potential, yet does not get the coverage the top-tier teams receive. This is my upset team this weekend; if anyone other than my top-two teams wins, it will be Team Allegiance. Their slaying skill, plus their chemistry, is a dangerous blend that when hyped, explodes to a tier-one level.
Second Place: Team EnVyUs
Hands down the second strongest team in Gears at the moment, Team EnVyUs still has their ultra experienced team with such pure skill heading into another tournament weekend. The reason I keep EnVyUs at the number two spot is simply because the aggressiveness and consistency of the OpTic team is far too superior. Now if this is the week that the Green Wall falls, then EnVyUs will surely be the team who knocks it down.
Gears Pro Circuit Mexico Champion: OpTic Gaming
Once again, OpTic Gaming will be the Gears of War champion. This team excels on so many levels and so far they have been unmatched in terms of skill, except for the one upset series against eUnited, where they still came back and double-dipped eUnited in the finals. This team knows how and when to clutch up, and once they get on a roll, there is no stopping them. Their elite map control, matched with only the best slaying power, makes OpTic the most dangerous and unstoppable Gears team. OpTic has my vote as grand champion this weekend. Â
Who do you have as your grand champion this weekend? Let us know in the comments below or by tweeting us @GAMURScom.
Authors Twitter: @Capt_Shively
