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The International 2023 - South America Qualifier continues in South America. This year the region got 2 quotas to participate in TI 12, and that's why it's more interesting to watch The International, especially the lower grid matches.
We are going to talk about the lower grid. More specifically, about the third round of the lower grid, which will start with the match Infinity Esports - MAD Kings.
Both teams can be called the dark horse of the qualifiers, but whether it is a compliment for the teams here is already a question. We will look for the answer in this text. At the same time we'll find out which team will be stronger in this Bo3 and will go to the next stage of the lower grid, where they will fight with the winner of the pair Thunder Awaken - Qhali.
Let's go.
Infinity Esports Form
Let's open the match analysis with an analysis of Infinity Esports' form. In this match, the team will play as favourites.
Bookmakers are very clear about the victory of Infinity Esports. The odds for Infinity's victory in this Bo3 are at around 1.3.
Such a figure, in general, is logical and understandable. They approached these qualifications with 128 DPC points in their asset, which is the second indicator after Thunder Awaken. However, now both Infinity and Thunder are in the lower grid, that's just the way things are.
In the first round of DPC 2023: SA Division 1 Tour 1 Infinity were ranked in the top 6. Despite the very low place, Infinity managed to take 3 maps out of 7 played, but the team did not rise above the 6th place.
Then Infinity took part in the local tournament of BTS Pro Series. Then the team took the top 8, which is hard to call a decent result.
In the course of DPC 2023: SA Division 1 Tour 2 Infinity showed the result. The team took the top 4, but what is noteworthy, played the season similar to the previous one, that is, with the score 3-4.
The third round of DPC 2023: SA Division 1 Infinity Esports took 6th place. This is bad, but still the team has a slot in the first division, which is already bread.
- Infinity lineup: Lumiere, kxy, Vitaliy, Michael, Gardick .
Infinity played two local events before the Long Segment of the qualifiers. That was Phygital Games 2023 Season 2, where they ranked Top 8, and EPL World Series: America Season 6. At the EPL they were TOP-2, with Ledge and Thunder Awaken in the finals.
Infinity looked pretty good during the qualifiers themselves. Infinity defeated Universitario Esports 2-0 in the first round of the top flight, and in the second round of the top flight Ledge defeated Peru's AcatSuki 1-2.
Infinity's most popular heroes
Among the top three most popular Infinity heroes is Tidehunter (8 matches, 37% wins). There are also Doom and Rubick, also 8 games each, with 37% of wins for the former and 25% of wins for the latter.
In addition, there is Tusk, Skywrath Mage, and Underlord. The first two have 33% wins each and Underlord has 16% wins.
There was also Crystal Maiden and Storm Spirit (40% wins in 5 matches). Disruptor (4 matches, 25% wins), Windranger (3 matches, 33% wins), Ogre Magi (3 matches, 33% wins).
Mad Kings uniforms
We continue the match analysis with an analysis of Mad Kings form. In this match they are playing as a number two.
Bookmakers are not ready to believe in Mad Kings. The odds for their success are at around 3.
Such a figure does not come out of nowhere. Mad Kings, like Infinity, had DPC points prior to the Long Cognega Qualifiers, but a much more modest number - 32 points. That is, in truth, paltry.
Mad Kings' modest success in the 2023 season was influenced by the team's vast gaming experience. In addition to the DPC, the team played in a dozen third-party events. At the DPC itself, Mad Kings finished in the top 4 in the first round.
In between DPC Mad Kings played in the EPL where they won their first, but not their last victory of the season. They earned a much more important title a month later, during DPC SA 2023: Tour 2: Division II, taking first place and a slot in the top division with it.
In the third round, Mad Kings made it to the top division for the first time in a year. There they looked good, considering the very big competition among the local teams. At the end of the draw, Mad Kings finished in the top 5, which is even better than Infinity.
- Mad Kings line-up: Adrian, PiPi, Oscar, Genek, RedMonster .
Before the Long Sogpeg qualifiers for The International 2023, Mad Kings played two more EPL seasons. Unlike Season 4, EPL Season 5 and EPL Season 6 ended in a fiasco for Mad Kings: the team finished Top 6 and Top 9 respectively, which cannot be called a good result.
The qualifiers themselves started with the top net, where Ledgeili Keyd Stars went 0-2 in the first round. Then skipped the first round of the lower grid and went on to beat Lava with a score of 2-1.
Most popular MAD Kings heroes
The most chosen hero for MAD Kings remains Ember Spirit (12 matches, 66% wins). Next comes Monkey King (7 matches, 28% wins).
Doom (6 matches, 66% wins), Crystal Maiden (6 matches, 50% wins), Keeper of the Light (5 matches, 60% wins) were also picked.
Also Alchemist (5 matches, 40% wins), Bloodseeker (4 matches, 75% wins).
Head-to-head history
The teams last played each other at DPC 2023 Tour 3: SA Division 1, where they managed to outscore Infinity 2-1.
Predicted result of the match Infinity - Mad Kings
Considering the overall level of play of the teams, I expect a lot of errors from both sides in this match. We can see both a full-blown blowout and a pretty close game on three maps.
If we look at the result of the last match, we can take a head start on Mad Kings. Undoubtedly, since the third round of DPC a lot of water has flowed, patches and players have changed, but the base remains unchanged.
Bottom line: +1.5 for Mad Kings.
