As we approach the semifinals of ESL Pro League Season 20, a thrilling matchup awaits us: NAVI vs G2. Both teams have had their ups and downs this season, but only one will advance to the grand final. Let's dive deep into the recent performances, key players, map pools, and predicted outcomes.
NAVI: Riding High on Momentum
NAVI has had a remarkable start to the second 2024 season. After securing victories at the Esports World Cup 2024 and reaching the final of IEM Cologne 2024, the team looks unstoppable. With players in top form, including Valerii "b1t" Vakhovskyi and rising stars like Mihai "iM" Ivan and Ihor "w0nderful" Zhdanov, NAVI has been able to maintain a solid structure while executing their systematical approach.
One key aspect of NAVI’s success has been their ability to break their curse against Spirit, a team that had defeated them in four consecutive matches prior to their latest win in the EPL quarterfinal. In that match, Justinas "jL" Lekavičius shone as NAVI's star performer, and he now leads the event as the best player. His stats over the past six months stand out: 6.5 rating, 0.73 kills per round (KPR), and 81 average damage per round (ADR).
NAVI has also never lost to G2 in this current roster configuration, which will give them confidence heading into the semifinals. Their methodical and system-driven playstyle makes them favorites, provided they continue to perform as a cohesive unit.
G2: Brilliant but Inconsistent
On the other hand, G2 has shown flashes of brilliance but continues to be plagued by inconsistency. While they reached the Esports World Cup 2024 final, their performance at IEM Cologne 2024 was disappointing, as they were eliminated by MOUZ. At ESL Pro League, G2 defeated KOI, 3DMAX, and MIBR, but their quarterfinal against Liquid was an example of their up-and-down nature. Despite winning the series, G2's shaky form was evident, although Ilya "m0NESY" Osipov carried them to victory.
Map Pool Comparison
Both teams have a solid map pool, but NAVI seems to have an edge with their systematic and disciplined approach.
NAVI’s map strengths:
- Dust2 – 80.0%
- Mirage – 79.2%
- Ancient – 66.7%
- Inferno – 62.5%
- Anubis – 55.6%
- Nuke – 55.0%
- Vertigo – Permaban
G2’s map strengths:
- Inferno – 84.0%
- Ancient – 73.7%
- Nuke – 65.0%
- Mirage – 55.6%
- Anubis – 55.6%
- Dust2 – 50.0%
- Vertigo – Permaban
Given the map pools, Dust2 and Ancient are expected to be hotly contested, with Inferno likely being the decider. G2 has a strong Inferno, but NAVI’s consistent performance on maps like Mirage and Dust2 gives them the upper hand in a best-of-three series.
Predicted Map Veto
Based on the current strengths and weaknesses:
- G2 picks Ancient, where they have a solid win rate and have shown consistent performances.
- NAVI picks Dust2, one of their strongest maps.
- The decider will likely be Inferno, a battleground where both teams feel comfortable.
Prediction: NAVI 2-1 G2
NAVI looks poised to advance to the final of ESL Pro League Season 20, continuing their impressive form from earlier in the season. Their methodical playstyle, combined with standout performances from b1t, jL, and w0nderful, should be enough to overcome G2's individual brilliance.
While m0NESY and NiKo may cause some trouble for NAVI, the team’s consistency and superior map pool give them the edge. Expect a hard-fought series, but ultimately, NAVI should come out on top with a 2-1 victory to book their spot in the final.
In conclusion, NAVI has shown great discipline and structure, which should help them prevail over G2's inconsistency. The stage is set for a thrilling semifinal, but NAVI’s collective strength and well-rounded map pool make them the favorites to reach the grand final.
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