OpTic Gaming vs SK Gaming

IEM Oakland 2017 Quarter Finals,

Finally into some Best of Three games, where the best team will come out on top. We've had some very interesting upsets this event in the Best of One group stage, and now we are sitting comfortably in the Quarter Finals. Today's matchup is Optic versus SK Gaming, we're going to take a look at maps choices and over success so far this event and get an accurate insight on this match-up's map pick and winner prediction.

Optic Gaming:

Before this event started i expected Optic to fall out in the group stages and Astralis to have their spot in these quarter final stages. Alas with Astalis' Device being sick and unable to perform as he usually does, Astralis crumbled and Optic seized the moment and snagged this spot against the best that Brazil has to offer; SK Gaming.

Taking a look at previous maps Optic has played so far this event, we see them sticking to their guns and going after their 3 best maps; "Train", "Overpass", and "Mirage". Which i expect this form to continue into these later stages of the tournament. If pushed into a different map i expect them to drop said map, as Optic do not have a handle on any other of the maps besides "Inferno" which currently rests at the record of 10-5. Notably, Optic always perma-bans out "Cobblestone", something to consider later during my pick/ban assessment.

SK Gaming:

The Beasts from Brazil are at it again, making it into the group stages after what seemed a very nasty end to day 2 of IEM Oakland. After winning all three day one matches, they then went on to lose their remaining two to best of one matches of the group stage.

SK have had a variety of map choices so far this event, playing "Cobblestone" twice, and "Mirage", "Train", and "Overpass" all one time. Winning both games on cobblestone, this map will more than likely get banned. Not only is SK successful on this map, but Optic also Perma-ban it every time.

Map Pick/Ban:

Let's dive into what the best of three pick and ban will most likely fall to. "Cobblestone" as a whole will be banned immediately, Optic do NOT play this map is also SK's favorite. SK will probably follow with their perma-ban "Nuke", which isn't a huge hit to Optic's game plan. Optic will follow up the "Nuke" ban with a possible ban on "Cache", seeing as it is a map they tend to not show a positive record on. SK will ban out "Inferno" as it is a very strong map for Optic. The final three maps to be played will be "Train", "Mirage", and "Overpass". All three of which are Optic's prime choices, but also all are very strong picks for SK.

Final Thoughts:

As i write this analysis of Optic and SK Gaming and deciding who I feel will move on to the semi-finals of IEM Oakland, I am very surprised how much of a shot Optic gaming actually has to upset SK. They will be playing all 3 of their most dominant maps in their pool. However, SK is no team to be scoffed at. They are number one in the world for a reason, and even with their newest member Ricardo 'boltz' Prass still not entirely in tune with the rest of SK, his individual performance only lacked against team "EnVyus". If you're willing to risk a low bet on Optic, I would advise doing so. Although, SK Gaming is the much better and more stable bet to be placed, and that is who I choose to be the victor of this matchup.