Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 continues to gain momentum, opening one of the most important stages of the tournament — the Elimination Stage. Here, teams begin their journey to the playoffs, with each victory bringing them closer to the coveted trophy, while defeats make the path much more challenging.
In one of the key opening matches of this stage, MOUZ will face off against paiN. This clash will be a test of the teams' strength and readiness for the decisive moments of the tournament. Can MOUZ confirm their status as favorites, or will paiN show character and surprise their opponent? Let’s consider their chances.
Current Team Form
MOUZ
MOUZ's average rating at S-tier events over the past month is 5.6. The team participated in BLAST Premier: World Final 2024, where they went through the group stage with a 1-1 record but were eliminated in the quarterfinals, finishing in 5-6th place. At the RMR, MOUZ delivered a confident performance, going through the tournament with a 3-0 record, dropping only one map to NAVI.
paiN
paiN's average rating at S-tier events over the past month is 6.2, including performances at the Opening Stage. The team went 3-1 at both the RMR and the Opening Stage, demonstrating their consistency. However, whether paiN is ready for the challenges of the Elimination Stage remains an open question.
In their last five matches, paiN achieved four victories, defeating FlyQuest, Cloud9, Imperial, and 9z. Their only defeat was against GamerLegion. This confirms their decent form ahead of the crucial match.
Map Pool
MOUZ
MOUZ traditionally bans the Anubis map (27 times) and prefers to choose maps like Mirage (17 times, winrate 53%), Nuke (16 times, winrate 56%), or Dust II (11 times, winrate 45%). Among their most successful maps are Inferno (winrate 73%), Nuke (winrate 56%), and Mirage (winrate 53%). They will likely try to keep Inferno or Nuke for play, where their win rate is above average.
paiN
paiN consistently bans the Ancient map (80 times) and prefers to adapt to the opponent's weaknesses, choosing Nuke (42 times, winrate 69%), Anubis (37 times, winrate 73%), or Vertigo (32 times, winrate 75%). The team's best maps are Inferno (winrate 75%), Vertigo (winrate 75%), and Anubis (winrate 73%). It is likely that paiN will ban Ancient and leave Vertigo or Inferno, where they traditionally show their best results.
Map Prediction: After mutual bans, the map Nuke is likely to remain for play.
Head-to-Head Meetings
In the last six months, MOUZ and paiN have met twice. One month ago, MOUZ claimed victory in the match, and three months ago with a score of 2-1. These results confirm MOUZ's superiority in head-to-head meetings.
Match Prediction
Considering the current form of the teams, MOUZ's more stable map pool, and their successful head-to-head meetings with paiN, the European team looks like the favorite in the match. However, if paiN manages to utilize their best maps, such as Vertigo or Inferno, the match could become more intense.
Prediction: win favoring MOUZ
The Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 Elimination Stage will begin on December 5 and continue until December 15. This stage has gathered 16 teams that will fight for a place in the playoffs to earn a significant portion of the total prize pool of $1,250,000. You can find more information about the tournament and follow it here.
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