The ESL Pro League Season 20 match between Wildcard and 9z on September 5th is a crucial clash for both teams as they seek to establish their presence in the tournament. Wildcard, fresh off a 15-match winning streak and strong performances at the NA scene, are showing promise after recent roster changes. Meanwhile, 9z, who looked strong last season, have struggled to find form recently. This match could go either way, as both teams bring their own strengths to the table, and it will likely be decided by individual performances and map selections.
Team Background and Recent Form
Wildcard: Wildcard has undergone significant changes with the addition of three European players, which has drastically improved their form. The team has been dominating the North American scene, winning 15 consecutive matches, several online events, and qualifying for the RMR. Despite playing at a lower tier compared to 9z, Wildcard is riding high on confidence and already made Spirit sweat with two close maps at the ESL Pro League.
A major contributor to their success is their new AWPer, Love "phzy" Smidebrant, who has been delivering stellar performances both in North America and against tougher European competition. Phzy’s stats (6.5 rating, 0.75 KPR, 77 ADR) reflect his impact, and his performance against Spirit was a sign that he can hold his own against top-tier teams.
9z: After an impressive run toward the end of last season, 9z has hit a rough patch, with several underwhelming performances across various events. Their loss to MIBR in their EPL opener further highlights their recent struggles, even though MIBR themselves haven’t been in great form. Despite this, 9z boasts impressive individual talent, particularly in Franco "dgt" Garcia, who has been the team’s standout performer with stats of 6.4 rating, 0.73 KPR, and 81 ADR.
Head-to-Head Analysis
Wildcard’s Strengths: The recent roster changes have revitalized Wildcard, making them a fresh and dynamic team. Their winning streak in North America has shown that they can dominate at that level, and their close games against Spirit at ESL Pro League suggest that they are ready to take on tougher opponents. With phzy leading the charge as AWPer, Wildcard has a solid foundation on maps like Dust2 and Anubis, where they’ve been particularly strong.
9z’s Strengths: 9z may not be in the best form, but their roster is packed with individual talent. Players like dgt can single-handedly turn rounds in their favor, especially on maps like Ancient, where the team has an 83.3% win rate. Despite recent struggles, 9z’s experience on the international stage and their ability to adapt to opponents gives them a slight edge in terms of map versatility.
Tactical Analysis
Map Pool Comparison:
- Wildcard: The North American squad has a strong record on Vertigo (100%) and Anubis (81.8%) and remains solid on Dust2 (75%) and Ancient (72%). However, they are weaker on Inferno (45.5%) and have Mirage as their permanent ban.
- 9z: 9z has been most successful on Ancient (83.3%), Dust2 (60%), and Mirage (60%), but struggles on Inferno (40%) and Nuke (53.6%).
Predicted Map Veto:
- Wildcard pick Dust2: With a 75% win rate on Dust2, Wildcard is likely to pick this map, where their fast and aggressive playstyle can catch 9z off-guard.
- 9z pick Nuke: 9z will likely opt for Nuke, a map they have a history of strong performances on, and where they can exploit Wildcard’s weaker defense.
- Decider: Inferno: If the match goes to a third map, Inferno seems like a natural decider, where both teams have had inconsistent results.
Match Prediction
Expected Match Flow: The match is likely to be closely contested. Wildcard should take Dust2, leveraging their strong form and phzy’s impact as an AWPer. Nuke will likely go the way of 9z, as their experience on this map gives them a strategic advantage. If it goes to Inferno, the match could go either way, but Wildcard’s recent momentum gives them a slight edge.
Prediction: While 9z has more experience at the international level, Wildcard’s form and recent performances suggest that they are capable of taking this match. A 2-1 victory for Wildcard seems the most likely outcome, with them winning Dust2 and Inferno, while 9z takes Nuke.
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