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The Big League of Legends continues with the Play-In Worlds 2023 matches. Slowly but surely we are getting to the matches for the qualification slot for the next stage.
In Group B, we are treated to a very unexpected match for seeding to the next round - the group stage. A match between CTBC and Team Whales.
In principle, the teams are of Play-In level, but they got here too quickly. Especially Team Whales, who being the absolute outsider in the match against the resident of Major region - Europe - managed to turn the series in their favour.
Let's find out which of the teams will make it to Play-In #2 and will be one step away from reaching the group stage, and who will have to cling to the match of last life at Worlds 2023.
Let's go.
CTBC Flying Oyster uniforms
Let's start the match analysis by analysing the CTBC Flying Oyster's playing form. In this match, they are playing as the number one side, but with a small lead, as indicated by the odds. The odds for CTBC to win are estimated at around 1.6.
CTBC Flying Oyster is one of the leading teams in Taiwan, but not the first. They are constantly Ledgeaing PSG Talon and there is a reason for that. It's because of CTBC Flying Oyster's youth, playing on the professional scene for only 2 seasons.
In two years they managed to achieve normal results. No more and no less. In 2022, CTBC Flying Oyster made a splash at PCS, first taking the top 1 at the spring split (PCS Spring 2022) and then winning the summer split (PCS Summer 2022), thus qualifying for Worlds 2022.
The team played their first Worlds Championship the way they were expected to - finishing in last place of the group stage, playing it 1-5.
- CTBC Flying Oyster line-up: Rest, Gemini, JimieN, Shunn, S1aytrue, ShiauC .
In 2023, the results were more modest, but it was enough to qualify for Worlds 2023. In the first split CTBC Flying Oyster took the top 3 before losing to PSG Talon in the PCS Summer 2023 finals.
In the first match at Worlds 2023, CTBC played against DetonatioN FocusMe. The match was a bit tense as the Japanese clung to their chances, but overall CTBC was in control and the Taiwanese took the series 2-0.
Most popular CTBC Flying Oyster champions
Fiora, Sion, Kenen and Renekton appeared 3 times each, of which the first two won 2 matches each, but Kenen and Renekton took all their games. Jayce, KSante, Camile, Jax and Gnar appeared 2 times each (Jax won both matches, the others 1-1).
Things are much less varied in the forest by meta dictation. The most pickable character is Maokai (7 games, 100% wins). Next are Vi (5 games, 80% wins) and Sejuani and Wukong (4 games each, 50% wins).
The centre line doesn't shine with variety either. The same popular Azir (6 games, 50% wins), Jayce (6 games, 83% wins), Akali (5 games, 80% wins).
In bot - Zeri (7 matches, 100% wins), Lucian (4 matches, 50% wins), Caitlyn (100% wins in 3 matches), Jhin (3 games, 66% wins).
The situation is as follows: Nami, Ashe, Yummi have 4 games each with 2 wins for the first, 3 for the second and perfect winrate for the third. Next are Heim (3 games, 66% wins) and Annie (3 matches, 100% wins).
Team Whales form
We continue the match analysis by analysing the Team Whales form. In this match they are playing the number two side with win odds around 2.6.
Team Whales are the second team of the VCS. On top of that, they are absolute newcomers to the competitive scene, as 2023 was actually the debut season for the club.
Actually, they appeared in 2022, but then they played only at VCS Summer 2022, where they finished in the top 5.
- Team Whales roster: Sparda, BeanJ, Gloryy, Artemis, CBL, Bie .
In 2023 the situation became better. If in the spring of 2023 it was TOP-4, then in the summer of the same year the team got TOP-2 at VCS Summer 2023, Ledgeiv in the grand final of GAM Esports with a score of 0-2, but got a slot at the Play-In.
In their first match at Worlds 2023, Team Whales pulled off a mini-sensation. They managed to roll over not the top players, but still the Europeans from BDS. And they did it after the first lost maps.
The most popular Team Whales champions
The most popular character on the top line is Gnar (12 matches, 75% wins), KSante (5 matches, 40% wins), Ornn (4 matches, 75% wins), Sion (4 matches, 50% wins).
Sejuani (9 matches, 11% wins), Vi (7 matches, 85% wins), Elise (4 games, 75% wins) appear most often in the forest.
Azir (9 games, 55% wins), Sylas (5 matches, 80% wins), Kassadin (5 matches, 80% wins), Akali (4 matches, 100% wins) appear on the centre line.
Shooters are chosen as standard: Zeri (11 matches, 63% wins), Varus (7 matches, 42% wins), Caitlyn (7 games, 57% wins), Lucian (5 matches, 80% wins).
Among the supporting heroes Lulu (10 games, 70% wins), Heimerdinger (7 matches, 42% wins), Lux (6 matches, 66% wins), and also Nami (4 matches, 75% wins).
History of head-to-head meetings
Previously, the teams have not played each other in official matches. This match will be the debut face-to-face match between the teams.
Predicted result of CTBC Flying Oyster - Team Whales match
I'm expecting a really cool League of Legends from this match. Both teams are clearly not here to chill. Both CTBC and Whales know how to win.
Naturally, the more logical result would be a win for the Taiwanese, but with the Whales' performance, I will believe in their ability to take the map.
Bottom line: +1.5 on Team Whales.
