BLAST R6 Manchester Major Phase 3 Preview and Predictions

As the BLAST R6 Manchester Major progresses to its final stage at the B.E.C. Arena, anticipation mounts for the Phase 3 playoffs.

Following an intense Phase 2, where 16 elite teams competed in a grueling Swiss Stage, only the top 8 emerged victorious, earning their spots in the playoffs.

This next phase promises high-stakes matches and electrifying performances as these teams vie for the championship title.

Phase 2 Highlights:

The Top Contenders:

FURIA and Team Secret were the first teams to qualify to Phase 3, given their impressive 3-0 record. With some impressive victories under their belts, such as against FaZe, BDS and DarkZero, these two teams currently stand as the top contenders.

Especially FURIA, since their roster are the current reigning Champions, having won it all with W7M in the previous season.

Better than the Rest:

FaZe Clan, DarkZero and M80 managed to close out the following 3 spots at a 3-1 record. FaZe and DarkZero have their only losses against Team Secret, while M80 lost out to Bliss in a Bo1.

The Final Day Qualifiers:

On the Final Day of the Swiss stage, things came down to the wire. BDS, Liquid and beastcoast managed to clinch 2-0 victories against Bliss, Bleed and PSG Talon respectively. With a 3-2 record, they managed to secure the final 3 spots to Phase 3.

Phase 3 Preview:

Phase 3 of the BLAST R6 Manchester Major, scheduled from May 24 to 26, 2024, will feature an 8-team single-elimination bracket.

The competition intensifies as teams face off in high-stakes matches, starting with the quarterfinals and semifinals, both played in a Bo3.

The climax of the tournament will be the Grand Final, a Bo5 showdown with standard overtime rules, determining the ultimate champion of this prestigious event.

Opening Matches:

Team Secret vs BDS

Team Secret has shown a good run of form in this tournament. They managed to beat SI finalists FaZe Clan, and North American powerhouse DarkZero in the Bo1s. Their only Bo3 match was against Team Bliss, where they won an astounding 2-0. With a few roster and coaching changes before the tournament, Team Secret seems like they have all the necessary ingredients to clinch out this win.

No Rainbow Six Tournament is complete without Team BDS. The former Major winners came in as the top seed from Europe, but faced a few setbacks against FURIA and PSG Talon. However, given their vast experience, they managed to pick themselves up and win out the two crucial Bo3s against CAG Osaka and Team Bliss to secure their spot in Phase 3. Having come this far, fighting with their tournament lives on the line, they will definitely be looking to claim a second Major title for themselves.

For this matchup, our prediction is Team BDS 2-1 Team Secret.

DarkZero vs M80

Although DarkZero aren’t the top dogs from NA, they have one of the most experienced and decorated rosters in the tournament, with Troy "Canadian" Jaroslawski and Jason "Beaulo" Doty, both being former Major and SI Champions. With only a minor setback against Team Secret, DarkZero has made easy work of their opponents in the Swiss Stage. And they will definitely be looking to make easy work of Phase 3 as well.

Before going into the NA League, M80 made a lot of changes to their roster and coaching staff. And this has proved to be fruitful. After a poor showing at the Six Invitational 2024, M80 is on a redemption arc. Putting up a statement 7-0 win against Into the Breach in a Bo1, and a dominant 2-0 win against Bleed to get them the Phase 3 spot, M80 are looking like solid contenders for this matchup.

This North American Derby could go either way, but our prediction is DarkZero 2-1 M80.

FURIA vs Liquid

Coming into the playoffs under a different banner, FURIA (formerly the w7m roster) are looking to claim dominance once more. Having already won all the international tournaments of the previous season, they are looking to maintain this legacy. And this can be seen in their flawless record in the Swiss Stage. However, heavy is the head that wears the crown. FURIA need to stay focused and keep their form, as they are the team with everything to lose in this tournament.

Team Liquid have managed to defy all odds, and have made it to the big stage after a full year. They came in second in the BLAST R6 Major Copenhagen, after losing to this same FURIA roster (formerly w7m). Team Liquid are the only team from Phase 1, and have played a staggering 14 maps. With this experience under their belt, they will be looking to get their revenge against FURIA from last year.

This Brazil Derby might be one for the ages, and we think FURIA is going to come out on top Our prediction is FURIA 2-0 Team Liquid.

FaZe Clan vs beastcoast

Always the bridesmaid, never the bride, FaZe Clan has time and again been within grasping distance of a trophy. Their last Major trophy came in 2021 at the Sweden Major. Coming in as SI finalists, they have shown incredible resilience, winning out against Team Liquid, beastcoast and a very strong PSG Talon side to make it to Phase 3. And they will be looking to bring the trophy home this time.

Beastcoast came into the tournament as the top seed from NA. They put together a ragtag team of players led by former SSG man Matthew "Hotancold" Stevens just before the NA Regional League. But beastcoast have managed to surpass all expectations. With minor setbacks against DarkZero and FaZe Clan, they won both their Bo3s against ITB and PSG Talon in quite dominant fashion. With nothing to lose in this tournament, they will be playing their heart out in this revenge matchup against FaZe. And for a shot at the trophy.

For this revenge matchup, our prediction is for FaZe to win once again. FaZe Clan 2-1 beastcoast.

Featured Image Source: Adela Sznajder, Joao Ferreira | Ubisoft

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