Welcome back to EGamersWorld.
The short break for The Bali Major 2023 is over. The most exciting part of The International begins - the play-offs of the Indonesian Major!
The main stage kicks off with a very exciting match. Team Liquid and PSG.LGD will take on each other in head-to-head encounters.
This promises to be a hotly contested match between two legendary teams. Yes, the balance of power may be tipped, but I'm sure we'll have a nice Dota.
Both teams are aiming to deliver the results we saw in the group stage. Otherwise we would be watching other names here.
Liquid are motivated to win to finally clinch the Major e championship after two disappointing finals in Lima and Berlin. PSG.LGD have not looked good at all in previous WorldMajors and Lima could be the starting point for their return to top-flight status.
We'll see which team will be stronger and progress to the top bracket, and which will continue on their way to the championship at the bottom of the standings.
Let's go.
Team Liquid form
Let's begin our review of the match by analyzing Team Liquid's form. They will play this game as a favorite.
Bookmakers believe Team Liquid will win. The odds on the Liquid's success in this match are estimated at around 1.6.
The fact that Team Liquid are favourites is nothing new at all. It's easy to see, just look at the club's performance during the season and it's obvious.
Liquid did not lose a single game at DPC 2023: WEU Division 1 Tour 1 and then took Top 2 at The Lima Major 2023, despite playing with substitutes. More than worthy.
The second round of the DPC was as similar to the previous one as possible. Liquid again took the Top 1, but now with one defeat in the table. On the international stage, Liquid again shone, but were still overshadowed by Gaimin Gladiators, who took their second Major trophy of the season.
In the third season, Liquid were no longer able to clinch the premiership. "The Liquid fell to fourth place, but luckily this was enough to qualify for the Bali Major 2023, which makes no difference for Team Liquid that qualified for The International 2023.
- Liquid squad: miCKe, Nisha, zai, Boxi, Insania .
After the disappointing result in DreamLeague Season 20, where Team Liquid were eliminated from the first group stage, there was a feeling that the Bali Major 2023 will be held on a "liquid" note. However, Liquid decided to step up and play their best.
Team Liquid made it through the group stage with dignity, taking 1st place. The team did not lose a single series, but played with several draws. Liquid's final score for the group is 4-4-0.
Team Liquid's most popular heroes
Team Liquid has Crystal Maiden in the top picks with 7 games and 6 wins.
In addition to Crystal Maiden choose Doom (4 games, 100% wins), Sven (4 games, 75% wins), Skywrath Mage (4 games, 75% wins).
Rubick (4 matches, 25% wins), Void Spirit (3 matches, 100% wins) appear in spades, Underlord, Pangolier, Storm Spirit each have 3 matches and all have 2 wins.
Form PSG.LGD
We continue the analysis of the game form of PSG.LGD. In this match, the team will play number two.
The bookmakers are not ready to believe in the success of the Chinese club. The odds on LGD's victory are estimated at around 2.4.
This state of affairs is rather a compliment to PSG.LGD. Looking at their past merits in the course of the season, the very fact they got into the play-offs of The Lima Major 2023, and on top of the main stage, is already excellent.
PSG.LGD only showed themselves to good effect in the domestic DPC 2023: China Upper Division. Their entire portfolio in 2023 consists of reaching the top 3 of the regional league: top 1 twice (DPC 2023: Tour 1 and DPC 2023: Tour 3) and top 2 at DPC 2023: Tour 2.
On the international stage, PSG.LGD failed The Lima Major 2023, where they crashed out in the first round of play-offs. The second Major season was no better than the first, PSG.LGD again flew out in the first round of play-offs taking the top-12 in the tournament. In addition, the team missed out on DreamLeague S19.
- PSG.LGD: shiro, NothingToSay, niu, planet, y`.
PSG.LGD reached the DreamLeague Season 20 play-offs in absentia, which was the team's highest-profile result all year. The team finished in the top 3.
Team Spirit made the group stage of The Bali Major 2023 in 4th place in Group B. The xiao8 side finished 3-4-1 and made it through to the top flight of the play-offs.
Most popular PSG.LGD heroes
The most frequent guest of PSG.LGD picks at DreamLeague S20 is Techies (5 matches, 60% wins). Next are Void Spirit and Magnus with 4 matches and 75% wins.
Opponents should watch out for Phantom Lancer (3 matches, 100% wins). Skywrath Mage (3 matches, 66% wins), Ember Spirit (3 matches, 66% wins) are also peaking.
History of head-to-head encounters
The teams have previously played in the Berlin Major 2023 and during the DreamLeague Season 20. In Berlin they played in a draw, while in the DreamLeague Season 20, PSG.LGD were victorious.
Result of the match
Given the history of head-to-head encounters, I'm going to put my faith in PSG.LGD for a bit in this match. I won't bet them as the winner, but I'll settle for the card they take. The more so at The Bali Major 2023 PSG.LGD play quite unique.
Bottom line: +1.5 on PSG.LGD.
