AGO Gaming vs Valiance

Legend Series #4,

With a break of the tier 1 and 2 teams after a wonderful month of Counter Strike where we just had event after event. We look at the lower tier and up and coming teams. AGO Gaming and Valiance are two of these teams. AGO Gaming is currently sitting at the Global Rank of 20. While Valiance is Globally Ranked at 37. Though regardless of rank both have these teams have shown that they can compete.

AGO Gaming:

AGO not being part of a main scene, have been involved in a few off brand events in recent times. Showing good form in both the China Top 2017 Shenzhen and the NGC Masters 2017, placing 2nd in both events. Consistency at this level does show much in terms of progression into the higher ranks but in that same instance, not falling in ranks is also just as equally important.

The map pool for AGO is pretty insane, no maps played by AGO have less than a 52.4% win rate. Going in order of most played maps we start with "Train" which holds an astounding record of 30-6. Following suit is "Inferno" with a record of 14-10. "Mirage" is next with a record of 11-10. "Cobblestone" comes fourth overall with a record of 13-3. "Cache" sits comfortably at 11-4, and finally "Overpass" has a record of 11-3. With all these maps listed "Nuke" hasn't been played by AGO and is likely their perma banned map.

Valiance:

Because Valiance is so low on the Global Ranking, I haven't heard much about them at all. In recent form they did happen to place first at the VIP Adria League Season 1 Finals. But that even also only had four teams competing. being such an unknown team i'm sure they can bring some factor into the game that helps them win and become successful, but until then I can't fully say how good they are.

Once again going in order of most played to least played we start the map pool of Valiance off with the map "Cache", with a record of 8-1. Following up is "Inferno" with a record of 6-2. "Mirage" sits comfortably at 5-0, and "Train" rests at 3-2. "Nuke" lies at 3-0, and "Cobblestone" comes last with a record of 3-2. "Overpass" is not found in their recent match history and thus is this teams perma banned map.

Map Pick/Ban:

A best of one game usually falls down to a map both teams are good at, this being said both teams have a different perma ban map and because of that we have both "Overpass" and "Nuke" being out first bans. "Train" is likely to be banned. Following that will be "Cache". "Mirage" will be a likely choice. "Cobblestone" will be the final ban, leaving just the map "Inferno" to be played.

Final Thoughts:

Both of these teams have a positive record on the map "Inferno" so I expect this game to be a well fought for one. Though as I look deeper into these map pools and their individual players and play styles, I can see why AGO is climbing the Global Ranks the way they are and i expect them to be the ones to take this match. Medium bet as it is a best of one. Good Luck Everyone.