The Kuala Lumpur Major Day 1: Odds, Analysis, Predictions

The Kuala Lumpur Major Day 1: Odds, Analysis, Predictions

Which teams are poised to for an upset? Which series could go all the way? We make our picks for the Kuala Lumpur Major Day 1.

After weeks of waiting, the first Dota 2 Major of the 2018-19 Dota Pro Circuit is finally here. From here on out, 16 teams will put everything on the line for a chance to win the trophy, $350,000, and 4,950 DPC points.

Given the relatively fresh state of the season and with OG choosing to sit this one out, the spot on the top of the totem pole is wide open. Every team has a fair shot at taking it. But, who are we kidding? As much as we’d love to say that the competitive field is even, some teams are just much better, and there are others who’ve already proven themselves with a number of quality wins this early on in the season.

Having said that, we’ll take all of the data we have right now into consideration and give you winning picks for the Kuala Lumpur Major Day 1.

The Kuala Lumpur Major Day 1 Predictions

Team Secret vs J.Storm

After winning ESL One Hamburg 2018, Team Secret will be settling for no less than a trophy run at the Kuala Lumpur Major. (Team Secret)

Match Schedule: November 9, 2018 — 1000H SGT

Congratulations to J.Storm for qualifying for a Major and getting picked up by a legitimate organization in between. That alone is an achievement in on itself. Their lineup is capable and full of potential. But, if we’re going to be honest, they won’t be able to win against Team Secret unless Clement ‘Puppey‘ Ivanov drafts his team into a corner once again. Then again, even if that happens, Team Secret are good enough to win, despite being at a clear disadvantage.

Betting: Correct Score 2:0 (IN MAPS) in favour of Team Secret at 1.48 odds. (GGbet)

Vici Gaming vs TNC Predator

With yet another year under his belt, Zhang ‘Paparazi’ Chengjun will look to lead the young squad of Vici Gaming to another successful season. (ViCi Gaming)

Match Schedule: November 9, 2018 — 1000H SGT

Because of what Carlo ‘Kuku‘ Palad just did — he all-chatted a racial slur against a Chinese national and later tried to concoct a story to try and get away clean, only for the story to be proven false later on — he may have just doomed every team that has a Filipino at the Kuala Lumpur Major, especially his very own All-Filipino squad, TNC Predator.

Given the strong form that Vici Gaming have shown recently, don’t be surprised if they end this series quickly.

Betting: Correct Score 2:0 (IN MAPS) in favour of Vici Gaming at 2.01 odds. (GGbet)

paiN Gaming vs Ninjas in Pyjamas

With a relatively successful year under their belt last season, paiN Gaming will be looking to make an even bigger splash this season. (paiN Gaming)

Match Schedule: November 9, 2018 — 1000H SGT

Ninjas in Pyjamas are vulnerable right now. Neta ‘33‘ Shapira will miss the tournament due to Visa issues, and standing in his place is TI7 champion, Ivan Borislavov ‘MinD_ContRoL‘ Ivanov. Although the stand-in is easily the better player of the two, 33 is an integral piece to the team that opens up the draft for Peter ‘ppd‘ Dager and afford him a plethora of flex picks to keep opponents guessing.

While there’s no doubt that ppd will eventually find a way to make the most out of MinD_ContRoL, it probably won’t happen this early on in the Kuala Lumpur Major Day 1.

Betting: paiN Gaming to win at 2.21 odds. (GGbet)

Evil Geniuses vs Team Aster

Fielding arguably their most talented lineup yet, the sky is the limit for the current Evil Geniuses Dota 2 roster. (Evil Geniuses)

Match Schedule: November 9, 2018 — 1000H SGT

Even at full strength, we’d have doubts about Team Aster’s chances. Now that they’re playing with a stand-in, we have even less of a reason to believe that they can take this series.

Evil Geniuses are easily one of the most talented and disciplined teams in the world, which pretty much makes them a shoo-in to make a deep run at this tournament.

Betting: Correct Score 2:0 (IN MAPS) in favour of Evil Geniuses at 2.45 odds. (GGbet)

All Kuala Lumpur Major Day 1 odds courtesy of GGbet.

What do you think of our Kuala Lumpur Major Day 1 predictions? Which teams do you think will pull off an unlikely upset? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments down below.

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