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We have reached the third side-by-side match in Play-In Riyadh Masters 2023 Group B. Playing will be 9 Pandas and Xtreme Gaming and the match will be The International heresy.
Interesting at least because it's a $15,000,000 tournament and there can't be any passing matches. In principle, it's not impossible that there will be, but still.
Another argument in favour of the match is the clash of China and Eastern Europe. These are top regions and teams from there know how to play Dota.
However, this season the Chinese residents are not shining and Riyadh Masters 2023 is the only chance to improve their results ahead of the Long Copega qualifiers for The International 2023.
We try to find out who will be the stronger team in this match (if there is such a team), who will be able to pick up important points to qualify for the group stage of the Riyadh Masters 2023 and start the penultimate title tournament of the year on a positive note.
In-form 9Pandas
We start the match analysis by analysing 9Pandas' match form. In this match, the team will play as favourites.
Bookmakers confirm the pre-match situation. The odds for a 9Pandas victory are estimated at 2.6.
Such a figure for bo2 is quite a working situation for an outsider. 9Pandas maintain their lead, but not a huge one.
9 Pandas started the year in third place at DPC 2023: EEU Division 1 Tour 1. However, at the first international tournament of the year - The Lima Major 2023 - while still under the HellRaisers banner, they managed to get out of the group playing against Stand-ip. \
In the second season of DPC 9Pandas took the top 1 spot, beating all direct competitors, namely Team Spirit and BB Team. In addition, 9Pandas surprised everyone at The Berlin Major 2023. In Germany, the Pandas made it to the Top 3, which was the best result for the region in a year.
The third DPC cycle of 9Pandas ended with qualification to the last Major of the season - The Bali Major 2023 - with a third-place finish in the home league. Next up was the DreamLeague S20
- 9Pandas roster: RAMZES, kiyotaka, MieRo, Antares, Solo .
All year long the team has been gaining in performance and this applies primarily to the international scene. At DreamLeague S20 it was top 7, and at Bali Major 2023 it was top 6.
Xtreme Gaming can't boast anything close to that.
The most popular 9Pandas characters
The most piqued character of 9 Pandas is Skywrath Mage. He has appeared in Pandas games 6 times and has 3 wins.
He is followed by Bounty Hunter (4 matches, 50% wins), Tiny (3 matches, 66% wins), Bloodseeker (3 matches, 33% wins). Also in the pool are Chen and Doom (2 matches each, 100% wins), and Enchantress (2 matches, 50% wins).
Xtreme Gaming uniforms
We continue the match analysis with an analysis of Xtreme Gaming's form. In this match the team will play the second number.
Bookmakers do not really believe in the success of the Chinese, but leave room for manoeuvre. The odds for the victory of Xtreme is at around 4.5.
Such a figure speaks about the lag of Xtreme, but still leave a chance to win. However, this all looks very questionable, as does Xtreme as a whole.
The Xtreme has had problems all year. They started with the regional league in China.
At DPC 2023: China Upper Division, Xtreme Gaming finished in the top 5. For a team with such a roster, that result was not just unacceptable, but rather terrible.
The deplorable state of Xtreme Gaming became even more evident after The Lima Major 2023, where Paparazzi and company did not qualify. At the tournament in Peru, only Aster and PSG.LGD showed some promise, while Knights and Ehome, who Xtreme Ledge played in their home league, were suspected of using cheats and ceased to exist after Lima.
However, Xtreme managed to pull itself together. The team called up the experienced Kaka for the fourth position and started to play. Xtreme won their home league with this squad. In this lineup they travelled to Berlin, where they made it to the group stage of The Berlin Major 2023. However, they finished in the top 12, which is not very good.
The third round was a nightmare for Xtreme. They finished in the top 5, which is not a critical indicator, but for teams of Paparazzi and company level, not making it to the Major with not the strongest competition is a failure.
- Xtreme Gaming lineup: Ghost, Paparazzi, JT, XinQ, Dy .
Before the Long Copeg Riyadh Masters 2023, Xtreme Gaming took XinQ out of the stash. The PSG.LGD legend will be helping Xtreme, but whether he will be able to shine after a long break is a big question.
Xtreme Gaming's most popular heroes
Xtreme Gaming's most popular hero is Storm Spirit. Paparazzi played him 5 times, but won only 2 matches.
We also took Alchemist (4 matches, 75% wins), Phoenix (4 matches, 50% wins), Keeper of the Light (4 matches, 25% wins), Rubick (4 matches, 25% wins).
There was also Pangolier, Underlord, Pugna, Dragon Knight. All heroes appeared 3 times and won 2 matches each.
History of head-to-head meetings between 9Pandas and Xtreme Gaming
Previously the teams have not played each other in official matches. This match is the debut experience of face-to-face meetings.
Match outcome
In this match more faith in 9Pandas. At least because the team has much more experience playing on the international stage. In addition, the Pandas play with a stable lineup, while Xtreme will be playing with a new foursome.
However, I will still put my faith in Xtreme. I think they are capable of picking up the card, even though it looks very difficult.
Bottom line: +1.5 on Xtreme.
9z Team
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