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Perfect World Shanghai Major: Elimination Stage Pick'Em Guide
The Opening Stage of the Perfect World Shanghai Major delivered more surprises than anyone could have predicted. Rare Atom and FlyQuest, despite being eliminated, managed to secure a win each—enough to derail not just our Pick’Ems, but those of countless others. Perhaps it’s finally time to stop underestimating the potential of Asian teams on the big stage.
Fortunately, our Opening Stage Pick'Em Guide disclaimer softened the blow. With the Diamond Coin feeling overrated (and honestly, not that great-looking), we’ll happily set our sights on hunting the Gold Coin instead!
Now, all eyes will shift towards the Shanghai Major Elimination Stage where the big dogs await their time to show the pinnacle of Counter-Strike in the server.
Eight teams have already booked their spot through the RMR, while the remaining squads will join from the Opening Stage including heavy hitters such as Team Liquid and The Mongolz who qualified with a clean record. Moreover, just as the Opening Stage had a few upsets, we also expect the Elimination Stage to be a slaughter ground for some of the favorites.
3-0 Pool
The Opening Stage served as a wake-up call, and we’re determined not to repeat the same mistakes. For the Legends Stage, the race for a clean 3-0 record is between four titans: Team Vitality, MOUZ, Natus Vincere, and G2 Esports.
Assuming none of these teams falter in the BO1s, we expect some thrilling matchups in the third round. G2 is set to face MOUZ, while Team Vitality will clash with Natus Vincere. Based on their head-to-head records this year, the odds favor MOUZ and Vitality. MOUZ has eliminated G2 in three separate tournaments, while NAVI has yet to topple Dan "apEX" Madesclaire’s Vitality squad.
With that in mind, our picks for the 3-0 pool are MOUZ and Vitality. Let’s see if they can deliver on expectations.
0-3 Pool
One of Counter-Strike’s unwritten rules is to avoid picking Asian teams for the 0-3 slot, so this time, we’re looking toward the Brazilians. FURIA Esports and MIBR had underwhelming performances in the Opening Stage. While they did manage to qualify, their victories were far from convincing, given the level of their opponents.
Wildcard also stands out as a strong candidate for the 0-3 pool, and BIG could find themselves in the same position if their inconsistencies persist.
The 3-0 and 0-3 predictions are always a gamble, relying heavily on how teams perform on the day. However, based on current form, FURIA and MIBR are our top picks to exit the Major Elimination Stage without a single win.
3-1, 3-2 Pool
Our bold prediction for this pool is Team Spirit. Despite having one of the best players of the year in donk, their recent form has been far from inspiring. Qualifying through the 7th Place Decider after losses to Passion UA and G2 Esports has cast serious doubt on their ability to perform against top-tier competition.
For the six teams likely to advance, G2 Esports and NAVI are no-brainers. Following them, Team Liquid and The Mongolz feel like the safest bets, as it would take something extraordinary to see them bow out early.
That leaves the final two slots up for grabs, with FaZe Clan, Team Spirit, and Heroic battling it out. While Spirit is our risky pick, the potential for surprises in this stage makes every match a must-watch.
FaZe Clan’s history proves they’re never a team to completely write off. Their ability to orchestrate upsets and stage historic comebacks has cemented their reputation as a dangerous contender. However, this time, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where FaZe breezes through the competition. Even if they manage to qualify, it will demand an extraordinary effort.
Here is our official Pick’EM for the Shanghai Major Elimination Stage:
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