Team Liquid vs Luminosity

iBUYPOWER Masters 2019

In this tip, we will be taking a close look at a best of one match-up between teams Liquid and Luminosity in the first round of the iBUYPOWER Masters 2019. Team Liquid is favored in this matchup with the current odds at time of writing being a 1.22; they are also the team I am predicting to win this series. Let's dive into detail and back up why I feel this way.

Team Liquid:

Currently, Team Liquid is ranked 3rd in the world, coming short to that of CIS Powerhouse Natus-Vincere and the world-class Danish Astralis. As the best ranked team in all of North America, Team Liquid have shown that they can compete on the international level and have establish themselves as a contender for the best team in the world. In recent times, Team Liquid have opted to trade 2-time Major winning support TACO and Coach Zews to MIBR in exchange for the 'Smoke Criminal' himself: Stewie2k. Only time will tell to see if this trade will be worth it for the North Americans but Stewie2k does elevate the potential skill ceiling for the team as a whole and this is saying a lot considering 3 of the 5 members of the current line-up made HLTV's top 20 list of 2018. This being the first event of the year and the first event with the newest member of the team I feel this will be the opportunity to introduce the new team in style.

Luminosity:

Luminosity has been busy making a tremendous amount of roster changes within the last year. Adding a dropping team members just to re-add them again or to go in an entirely different direction. This being said, their have also been talks of the organization disbanding the team entirely and exiting CS:GO as a whole. This is all still speculation but some evidence has come forward regarding this ordeal. Rumors aside, the team will play at the iBUYPOWER Masters and will be playing against Team Liquid this game. To much dismay, rifler for Luminosity 'Boltz' is unable to attend the event due to Visa issues and will be substituted with 'Pancc'. A hard hit for Luminosity as Boltz had much success with the old SK Gaming Lineup and will no doubt bring a lot of momentum to the team when he is finally able to get his Visa problems settled. Til then, the team is going into this event with a severe disadvantage.

Maps:

The potential map pick for these teams is honestly up in the air. Each respective team does play the majority of the maps in the pool with the exception of each teams permabans. Liquid opts out of playing Train and Luminosity takes a seat when it comes to Nuke. I wouldn't be surprised to see Inferno, Mirage or even Cache to be played. However, in any of those three cases, Team Liquid has the advantage based on past win records.

Final Statement:

Team Liquid are the favored team to win and still remain my pick to take it. I expect the game to be close like any best of one series but I have confidence in the new Liquid lineup and I am excited to see them play.