Predictions for Week 4 #HGC EU Feb. 10-12, 2017

After three weeks, I'm 17-1 picking the EU matches. A lot of this is due to the giant gulf between the top and bottom of EU, with very little wiggle room. It's hard to argue against Misfits, FNATIC, and Dignitas as the top three, with Expert coming in fourth. This makes EU really easy to pick. So, what does week four look like? Well:

Friday February 10th

Match 1: Team Dignitas vs Playing Ducks

Not hard to pick. Team Dignitas has the best team synergy in EU, and possibly in the world. They may lose a game in draft, or they may get out played, but, even including Korea and China, no team plays as well together as Dig. It's Duck season and Dig is prepared to feast. Team Dignitas takes it in a sweep, 3-0. 

Match 2: Misfits vs beGenius 

Oh, do I feel sorry for beGenius! Easily the lowest team in EU right now, not having won a match, and taking on the hottest team in EU? Misfits wins 3-0 and beGenius is a lock for the Crucible. 

Saturday February 11th

Match 1: beGenius vs Tricked eSport

Alex the Pro G has gotten his team out of the basement. With their victory over Synergy last week, they are pretty much assured to finish ahead of the Russian/Ukrainian team. Tricked takes two in a row, and poor beGenius falls to 0-6 as they get swept, again, 3-0 by Tricked. This keeps Tricked out of the Crucible, barring a miracle. 

Match 2: Team Expert vs Misfits

All of Expert's hopes to make the Clash ride on beating Misfits. That said, they could not get it done against Dignitas (Misfits swept them), nor FNATIC (Misfits edged them out). If there is a team in EU that can challenge the German powerhouse of Misfits, it is Expert. Their unusual comps and smart play will make this a competitive match, but not that competitive. Misfits remains a team on a mission as they take Expert in four, 3-1. 

Sunday February 12th

Match 1: Team Dignitas vs FNATIC

The top four teams play each other this weekend in EU, and the second match is the oldest grudge match in EU Heroes of the Storm. Dignitas, as I said before, is the best team play team in the world (come at me Korea), but FNATIC has superior mechanical play and drafts as well as anyone. Also, take into account that Misfits swept Dig, but had to go to five to beat FNATIC. All signs point to a FNATIC victory, and I tend to agree. FNATIC 3-2 over Team Dignitas, but don't be surprised if this is the one I get wrong. 

Match 2: Synergy vs Playing Ducks

Playing Ducks look really good against the bottom half of EU. Synergy has looked largely uninspired, managing a meager four map wins in five matches. The Ducks avoid the hunters, and Synergy is sent to the crucible with beGenius. Ducks win 3-1.