Cloud9 and Vitality will meet in the first semi-final of IEM Rio 2023. At stake is a ticket to the grand final, and for someone else, a chance to rehabilitate themselves in front of the crowd and fans for not making it to the majors.
And it's a tough match indeed, as Vitality have already managed to play in front of the crowd with one more meeting. In turn, Cloud9 will clearly not add to the love of the local public, as the boys managed to upset MIBR and FURIA back in the group.
On the other hand, the Russian side can open up, all the more so because their opponent doesn't exactly impress with their ideas. All in all, it will be extremely interesting to see what the participants will show.
However, here I would rely on the victory of the Cloud9 team, which I think can strangle their opponent. Especially as Cloud9 have no way back and are effectively the last chance to make a name for themselves in this line-up.
Cloud9's form
The world's sixth ranked team played horribly in the main part of BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023 Europe RMR B, noting losses to Monte, G2 Esports and ENCE.
Despite beating B8 Esports and BIG in the extra leg of the last chance round, Cloud9 couldn't handle FaZe Clan and were left out of the Paris majors.
Fortunately, in the group stage of IEM Rio 2023, the Russian side was able to quickly rehabilitate themselves by edging out MIBR, OG and FURIA. Now it remains to be seen what the morale is in front of such a crowd.
Cloud9's latest results:
- A 2-0 win over BIG.
- Defeat to FaZe Clan by a score of 0-2.
- 16-8 win over MIBR.
- Beat OG 2-0.
- 2-1 win over FURIA.
Cloud9's best scores:
- Vertigo - 78% wins.
- Mirage - 75% wins.
- Overpass - 67% wins.
- Ancient - 64% wins.
It should not be forgotten that the Russian team continues to give up on Nuke maps.
Vitality shape
The fifth team in the world rankings, on the other hand, performed excellently in the recent BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023 Europe RMR B, where they only suffered one defeat at the hands of 9INE. However, the boys did manage to shut out G2 Esports and Monte in the top flight, earning a slot in the Legends.
As for their performance in the group stage of IEM Rio 2023, Vitality started with a defeat against OG but then went on to play-offs with victories over MIBR, FaZe Clan and OG.
Already here, the Danish-French team barely noticed BIG, showing two strong performances in terms of their ability to break their opponent. But there is a feeling that the team is slowing down and not engaging to the full.
Vitality's latest results:
- A 17-19 defeat to OG.
- Defeated MIBR 2-0.
- Defeated FaZe Clan 2-0.
- Beat OG 2-1.
- Beat BIG 2-0.
Vitality's best scores:
- Nuke - 89% wins.
- Anubis - 83% wins.
- Inferno - 80% wins.
- Vertigo - 71% wins.
- Overpass - 56% wins.
- Mirage - 56% wins.
In turn, the Danish-French team has not appeared on the Ancient map for a long time.
Cloud9 - Vitality encounter statistics
Last season the teams played one meeting - Cloud9 (2-0) won at IEM Katowice 2022.
Forecast for the match Cloud9 - Vitality
I think Vitality will want to take a shot at Anubis, while the Russian team will probably focus on their Vertigo again. It's hard to say something about the other bands as it's 50/50.
Everything, it seems to me, hinges on Long Corner, which will decide the game. If we proceed from the quarter-finals, the Danish-French team have problems with it.
On the other hand, the Magpies need a win, and their opponent is comfortable in terms of structure. Therefore, in this case, I would recommend betting on Cloud9 to win.
