Team SoloMid vs Golden Guardians

This is not the kind of match we like to bet. We're talking about two teams that are inherently volatile and not at all cohesive. They've had good moments, but they were very few and far between. And, well, they weren't enough to neutralize and offset the bad ones which were far more frequent.

The TSM FTX experiment has yet to yield any fruit. Their five players are all talented and capable, but things just haven't "clicked" -- nor will they "click" any time soon, if their first few games are anything to go by. The difference between them and, say, Immortals, is quite clear: TSM has a lot less experience, and there's a language barrier standing in the way as well. For Immortals, it was only a matter of applying a different kind of methodology and approach. They always had the talent and the experience, and the moment they found the right "formula" things immediately fell into place. Their dominant win over 100 Thieves proves as much. Heck, we're still reeling from the shock of witnessing it, and it's a true testament to IMT's resilience and ability to bounce back in the face of the grimmest of odds.

TSM, on the other hand, have been pretty darn dreadful, although certainly not for a lack of trying. Nothing seems to be working, no matter what they try, and we feels as though their issues go much deeper than the surface level. These growing pains are not only mighty draining but also inevitable. Bringing in two inexperienced Chinese players into a completely new culture and region is a gargantuan undertaking that only a select few organizations have managed to pull off in the past.

Now, we still believe in TSM FTX, but if they end up losing this game as well, they'll be 0W-4L, and their odds of making the playoffs would plummet even further. A team with such a tally can, in all fairness, still turn the tides, but we just don't see it happening with TSM -- they lack the veterancy and resilience that are necessary for the job.

GGS aren't exactly a top-tier behemoth either, but they've been a lot more impressive lately and have a ton more experience compared to TSM. Now, that doesn't mean they're guaranteed to get away with the win, but they have a much better shot -- contrary to what the oddsmakers think.