Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s time for another Pick EM’s with The People’s Champ. I had an off week last week only predicting 7 out of the 10 matches correctly. If you haven’t checked out the previous week’s picks you can do so here. This week I guarantee a 100% correct pick rate. It’s the final week of the stage that’ll determine seeding for the Major 5 tournament.
Let’s get to these matches.
London Ravens (0-3) vs. Florida Mutineers (2-1)
Last week we saw the London Ravens get eliminated from Champ’s eligibility. Florida lost their matchup against Boston 0-3 but don’t let that score fool you. Florida had the lead in the first 2 maps but choked their leads. It’s been the story of Florida’s season, they can’t seem to close games that they are leading in. However, they did end up beating the defending champs, LA Thieves, last weekend. Florida has proved they can compete with anyone in the CDL, they need to find consistency to keep their season alive. London Ravens don’t have much to play for so I see Florida winning this series.
Minnesota ROKKR (1-2) vs. Los Angeles Thieves (0-3)
Thieves are having a rough split but are still a top-tier team. Minnesota has been struggling all season and have made many changes trying to find a lineup that works. Just this week they announced that Afro will be benched and Attach will return to the starting lineup. I don’t think this will fix Rokkr’s issues but Attach is an all-time great so he could get them back in form. I think LA is the better team and will win this match.
New York Subliners (2-1) vs. Seattle Surge (1-2)
This is my match of the week. Both these squads have some heavy power and 2 of the best SMG players in the league facing off in Pred and Hydra. It’s a coin toss in respawn for both teams with New York having a slight edge. This series will come down to Search and Destroy where New York is clearly the better team. I’ve got the Subliners winning this in 5.
Seattle Surge (1-2) vs. Las Vegas Legion (2-2)
Legion are only one game behind Rokkr in the standings. They need to get ahead of them to qualify for champs. They can tie them with a win against Seattle. Legion are one of the worst control teams in the CDL. Surge are the better respawn team but struggles in Search and Destroy. Legion will need to steal a Hardpoint or Control to stay in the series which I think they can do. I’ve got Legion winning this series to keep their Champs run alive.
Optic Texas (4-0) vs. Florida Mutineers (2-1)
On paper, this is a no-brainer and looks like an easy 3-0 for Optic Texas. Florida has been improving week by week and can upset anyone in the league. I don’t think this match will be as easy as folks think for Optic. To keep this series competitive they need to wind their Search and Destroys and steal a Control match. There’s just no way they are beating Optic in Hardpoint. I still think Optic wins here but Florida will make them earn it.
Toronto Ultra (2-1) vs. Los Angeles Guerillas (1-3)
Los Angeles Guerillas got eliminated from Champs last week essentially ending their season. You’ve got to think they are deflated at this point. Toronto Ultra are one of the best teams in the league and I don’t see them slowing down this week. They’ll most likely cruise to a 3-0 victory here and keep it moving.
Boston Breach (2-1) vs. Atlanta FaZe (3-1)
Boston Breach have a tough task ahead of them facing off against one of the top dogs in the league in FaZe. FaZe is the best in the league at S&D and will win those against Breach. However, Breach can keep up with FaZe in respawn, they will need to win those to have a chance here. If this comes down to a game 5 S&D you can bet on FaZe to put Breach away easily. I’ve got FaZe in this one but would not be surprised if Breach cause an upset.
Toronto Ultra (2-1) vs. Minnesota Rokkr (1-2)
Minnesota Rokkr are currently sitting at the 8th spot in the standings which is the last spot that qualifies for Champs. With Legion knocking at the door to take their spot, this is a must-win for Rokkr. Minnesota will need to win their S&D to have a chance. However, Toronto is the better respawn and Search team. Attach will be playing with a chip on his shoulder after being put back into the starting lineup. This match means more to Rokkr and I’ve got them upsetting Ultra this weekend.
Los Angeles Thieves (0-3) vs. London Ravens (0-3)
The defending champs are struggling lately but can turn things around in an easy matchup against London. It would take a herculean effort from Asim to cause a major upset here. Not much to say about this one, Thieves should put London away quickly in this matchup. I’ll most likely take a nap during this one.
New York Subliners (2-1) vs. Boston Breach (2-1)
An excellent matchup to end the online qualifiers. New York and Boston are pretty even when it comes to Control and S&D. Those maps will be a toss-up. The difference maker in this series will be the Hardpoint maps, where New York is the better team. I’ve got New York winning but it’s gonna be a scrappy one.
The People’s Champ Guarantee
If you read my pick em’s from last week I’m sorry to have disappointed everyone as I didn’t pick all the matches correctly. I am the Oracle, I must be better. That’s why these week’s picks are a guaranteed 100% correct pick rate. This is your free cheat-sheet to win your pick em’s this week, you’re welcome Stunna-gang.
