The match between Ninjas in Pyjamas and 9 Pandas at the group stage of the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024: European RMR B promises to be intense. Both teams are in the 2-2 pool and are on the brink of elimination, where the winner will continue to compete for a spot in the main tournament, while the loser will say goodbye to their hopes.

NIP approach the match with a higher level of experience in major tournaments but with inconsistent form. Meanwhile, 9 Pandas have already managed to surprise by defeating Astralis and are ready to continue fighting. Whose approach and tactics will prove stronger? Let’s consider the current form of the teams and their chances in this important match.

Current Team Form

NIP

Ninjas in Pyjamas approach the match in mixed form. Their performances at major tournaments have not been impressive lately: at the Thunderpick World Championship 2024, the team ranked 9th–12th, not making it out of the group, and at the YaLLa Compass Fall 2024, they stopped at the semi-final stage, losing to BetBoom. Their average rating at S-tier events over the last month is 5.8. The last five matches also show instability: two wins against PARIVISION and TSM and three losses to HEROIC, G2, and BetBoom. Nevertheless, NIP remain a team with claims for advancement, highlighting their experience and potential.

9 Pandas

9 Pandas have less significant experience in major tournaments. The last month has been successful in A- and B-tier events, with victories at Winline Insight and European Pro League S20, with finals against ECLOT. At the current RMR, 9 Pandas started with a sensational victory over Astralis, but ended in the 2-2 pool after a series of losses to G2 and Virtus.Pro and wins against ECLOT and Aurora. Despite the inconsistency, the team shows confidence against opponents of their level.

Map Pool

NIP

The team often bans Dust II (24 times) or Inferno (12 times) due to both tactical preferences and the inconveniences of these maps. Their choice generally falls on Ancient (27 times, 74% win rate) or Vertigo (15 times, 67% win rate), less often on Nuke (12 times, 17% win rate). NIP's best maps statistically are Ancient and Vertigo, which provide a high win rate.

9 Pandas

9 Pandas most frequently ban Vertigo (54 times), which might be important in this matchup. When selecting a map, the team relies on the opponent's weak points, preferring Nuke (43 times, 67% win rate), Dust II (29 times, 76% win rate), and Anubis (27 times, 44% win rate). 9 Pandas' best maps are Dust II and Inferno, with win rates reaching 76% and 74% respectively.

Predicted map picks:

• Picks: NIP will choose Ancient. 9 Pandas will choose Nuke.
• Decider: Inferno will remain.

Match Prediction

Considering the current form and statistics, NIP appears to be the favorites. Their experience in S-tier tournaments and high efficiency on Ancient give them an advantage, especially if the map is in the pool. However, 9 Pandas have already surprised in this RMR by defeating Astralis and can use their versatility on Nuke.

Prediction: 2-1 in favor of NIP.

Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024: European RMR B takes place from November 21 to 24 in China. Teams are competing for seven slots at the major. You can follow the schedule and results of the EU RMR B via this link.