Renegades vs ENCE eSports

IEM Katowice 2019 Main Qualifier

In this tip, we will be taking a close look at a best of three match-up between teams ENCE and Renegades in round 3 of the IEM Katowice 2019 Main Qualifier. ENCE is currently favored in this matchup with the current odds at time of writing being a 1.38 and they are also the team I am convinced will win this matchup. Let's dive in deeper together and see why this is.

ENCE:

Memes and Reddit trolls aside, ENCE is a team that has been climbing the global ranks and sits just shy of the top ten teams in the world. After this event, I'm sure they will guarantee themselves a spot amongst the worlds best. Placing highly in the last few events they have participated in, and even won a majority of them. Including; ASUS ROG Winter 2019 and DreamHack Open Winter 2018. ENCE has also made their presence known in the server of this major qualifier, dismantling teams Spirit and G2. I watched the G2 game live and it was incredibly impressive to watch a quote unquote "SuperTeam" such as G2 just get completely outclassed. ENCE had a solid CT defensive side on Overpass and ended the half 13-2. Though G2 did take a few rounds after they switched sides, ENCE still took a swift victory closing out the game 16-6. ENCE is a team the team I see winning this matchup, going 3-0, and in my opinion: making the top 8 legends this event.

Renegades:

I'm breaking a promise I made to myself by predicting a game where Renegades is involved in any way possible. The Renegades have always been that team that just gets a free ticket to the Major because of where they fall in the global regions. All ESEA and ECS seasons they get to play in North America against some of the best the world has to offer, but when it comes to Major time, they get to play against teams trying to qualify out of Malaysia and Thailand who are often ranked well into the 70+ globally ranked range. The Renegades, though good in their current form with new pick up 'Gratisfaction' I still see their play style and overall demeanor lack luster. Outscoring Avangar 16-8 and just holding on against NiP 16-13, 'AZR' was the only one of the Renegades to show any sort of outstanding performance. I feel it'll take more than one solid rifler to topple ENCE in this matchup.

Maps:

A best of three is boiled down to two bans from each team and the remainder is played out. ENCE will ban out maps Cache and Inferno, while Renegades will ban out Nuke and Overpass. This means that maps Mirage, Inferno and Dust 2 will be played. All but Inferno falls in favor for ENCE.

Final Statement:

In the end, this is the first time that these two teams have ever played against each other and anything can happen. However, predictions are based on past performances and current outcomes. Though the Renegades have been holding on to win these best of ones, they haven't done much to show that they are a top caliber team. I feel strongly about ENCE being a top tier team, they have shown a consistent upward trend and when put against teams of a higher tier, they have either shown that they can compete, or in the case of G2, they completely outclass them. ENCE is my choice for this matchup.