Where the real Dota happens.This is a space where I put my predictions on upcoming matches. I predict based on my experience and the performance of Pro Teams — and I comment on every single one, with an aftermath added after each match.
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MOUZ threw a 20k lead against Vici—I can't trust them in a best-of-3 where the pressure is win or go home. LGD is clean and disciplined; TaiLung outfarms anyone, and their only real weakness (high ground) doesn't matter against a team that throws its own leads. I'm going with LGD.
LGDThis is a clash of two teams that both want to fight—but Vici takes the WORST fights the second they get a lead (that whole XinQ-goes-Rapier-and-forgets-the-map thing). PlayTime plays fast and runs as 5 and is way more reliable. In a BO3, Vici's decision-making cracks. I'm going with PlayTime.
PlayTimeNisha is on FIRE right now—14-0 Ember against Aurora, are you kidding me? Xtreme wants to farm and pray with Ame, and Liquid is the exact team that punishes passive Dota—they play fast, they fight, and they never let you reach your late-game fantasy. NothingToSay is too passive to keep up in the middle. I'm going with Liquid. 2-1 to win.
LiquidWhat you get here
One pick per match. My honest read, written before the draft. No fluff, no hedging.
LGD Gaming
My take
MOUZ threw a 20k lead against Vici—I can't trust them in a best-of-3 where the pressure is win or go home. LGD is clean and disciplined; TaiLung outfarms anyone, and their only real weakness (high ground) doesn't matter against a team that throws its own leads. I'm going with LGD.
Esports World Cup 202612 Jul60
PlayTime
My take
This is a clash of two teams that both want to fight—but Vici takes the WORST fights the second they get a lead (that whole XinQ-goes-Rapier-and-forgets-the-map thing). PlayTime plays fast and runs as 5 and is way more reliable. In a BO3, Vici's decision-making cracks. I'm going with PlayTime.
Team Liquid
My take
Nisha is on FIRE right now—14-0 Ember against Aurora, are you kidding me? Xtreme wants to farm and pray with Ame, and Liquid is the exact team that punishes passive Dota—they play fast, they fight, and they never let you reach your late-game fantasy. NothingToSay is too passive to keep up in the middle. I'm going with Liquid. 2-1 to win.
Virtus.pro
My take
Man, I hate picking VP. But here's the thing—Rune Eaters play slow, farm-heavy, late-game Dota, and that's EXACTLY the game where Timado's farm (BKB or not) takes over. Rune Eaters is a great story, but a BO3 against tier 1 experience is a different animal. I'm going with VP.
PARIVISION
My take
THE match everyone's been waiting for. Spirit is back on the horse—Yatoro found his king aura against Vici, and Larl on Lina is cooking. But boys, PARIVISION is the big bad bully of the EWC. 6-0. Nobody outfarms Satanic right now, and I don't see Spirit breaking that. I'm going with PARIVISION.
MOUZ
My take
MOUZ have been the surprise of group C. The ONLY thing that scares me is the throw factor—nobody, and I mean NOBODY, throws more than MOUZ. But Vici takes bad fights the second they get a lead. I'm going with MOUZ. But if they lose a 20k lead again, don't blame me.
✗ Aftermath
HAHAHHAHAH, is this a joke? How the hell can you throw like this? I knew it, I swear to God. Where is that MOUZ that played against Team Spirit? Not only that, but they also lost a Battle Fury carry Faceless Void from shiro…
REKONIX
My take
Two teams are packing their bags already. This is a battle for pride, nothing else. Both are winless, but Nemesis at least has Astini pulling the strings, and that SA magic showed up in the qualifiers. REKONIX just doesn't know what to do with a lead—we've seen it all in the tournament. But, as long as REKONIX ALWAYS beats Nemesis I'm going with them.
✓ Aftermath
Both teams are out of the EWC. Many mistakes from both parties, but I believe that they need more experience. In my humble opinion, REKONIX is really good; even with that Lone Druid from Jikroy, they managed to "rat" Nemesis out.
Draw (1–1)
My take
1win is 5-0 but BARELY winning — outfarming teams in the last 8 minutes instead of dominating. Against Yandex's clean 5-man execution, that doesn't fly. Based on my model and everything I saw, this will end up in a draw unless 33 pulls some miracle.
✗ Aftermath
Ahh, so close. Map 2 was ALMOST in their bag. watson stole the show AGAIN on his Phantom Lancer. It is an honor to watch and analyze Team Yandex games.
Draw (1–1)
My take
Man, this one is tricky. OG farms a lot and holds the high ground. VP is VP—they can look like a tier 1 team one map and a pub stack the next. Both these teams throw and both can win a map. I'm going with a draw.
✗ Aftermath
That's embarrassing… Actually, my model said that it will be a 2-0 (for OG), and I knew that they are afraid to engage in fights, but I didn't think that they are SOOOO afraid. You can't have this mentality to farm and "hope" that VP will make a mistake. I can't believe that OG is out of the EWC; I'm actually sad because they are a good team.
LGD Gaming
My take
IC is going home, simple as that. LGD smoked OG 2-0, and even if they have that never-ending need to fight, IC can't punish it. TaiLung will outfarm whatever they put in the mid. I'm going with LGD. 2-0.
Team Falcons
My take
TI2025 finals rematch, boys. But this isn't the same Xtreme—they're lost, Ame is still doing Ame things, and Falcons are the KINGS of the late-game slugfest. If you want to farm and pray against Falcons, good luck. I'm going with Falcons.
✓ Aftermath
I know a lot of people here just like to flame Xtreme. But man, they play well, but somehow they can't take advantage of the farm that they have. Yeah, they are always going to late-game, but I feel like NothingToSay is extremely passive as a midlaner. Maybe that's the problem?
BetBoom Team
My take
Same GL problem I've been screaming about for 5 tournaments now — they get the lead and don't know what to do with it. And BetBoom is the LAST team you want to stall against; they'll just take one fight and push your throne. I'm going with BetBoom. 2-0.
Rune Eaters
My take
Both these teams love to farm, but let's be real—Rune Eaters are the better story here. Darklord is a beast; Copy won mid against Malr1ne, and they stole maps off BetBoom AND Xtreme. Poor Rangers only look scary when TA2000 gets his conditions. I'm going with Rune Eaters.
Aurora Gaming
My take
This one decides the group seeding. Liquid plays that fast, chaotic Dota, and Nisha is Nisha—but Aurora's 5-man is just on a different planet right now, and Mikoto will NOT let Nisha snowball like he usually does. If it goes late, they choke Liquid out. I'm going with Aurora.
Draw (1–1)
My take
Match of the day right here. Nigma looks INSANE with the new squad — they 2-0'd Liquid. But here's the thing you don't know: Nigma has NEVER beaten PlayTime in a series (0 maps in the last 3 tournaments, look it up). New roster or not, that curse is real. I'm going with a draw.
✗ Aftermath
Wow… Game 1 between Nigma and PlayTime is a must-watch. Can you imagine that they won with a 40k gold deficit? Where are you now, Suma1L haters? Nigma is top 1 of the group!!
L1GA TEAM
My take
It's official — Level UP can't win a single game against real teams. Liquid almost pushed them out in 18 minutes. This is the safest pick of the day. I'm going with L1GA. 2-0.
✗ Aftermath
Unbelievable…L1GA just lost 2-0 against a team that couldn't take a map out of anyone in the group stage. And guess what? They are going home…. I hyped them sooo much, and for what?
BetBoom Team
My take
This is the match that decides the group lead. Xtreme is lost — Ame is still doing Ame things (that Windranger, that Morphling). BetBoom punishes exactly this kind of passive, farm-and-pray Dota. Save will be everywhere, and Gpk will cook the mid. I'm going with BetBoom.
✓ Aftermath
I like that BetBoom is really creative. They were playing on the backfoot half of the game, and then Bloodseeker took over the map. Masterful display of confidence.
Team Falcons
My take
Falcons are the KINGS of the late-game slugfest, and if you want to play the farming game against them, good luck. This is exactly their patch. I'm going with Falcons. 2-0.
✓ Aftermath
Well, poor Rangers are going home. It's hard to keep up with Falcons. TA2000 had a small spark, but you can't win only on certain conditions; you always need to perform well.
Draw (1–1)
My take
I've stopped underestimating Rune Eaters. Darklord is a beast, and they farm and scale into the late game like nobody expected. But here's the catch—GamerLegion has the SAME problem I've been screaming about for 4 tournaments: they can't take the high ground. If Rune Eaters drag it late, GL will choke it away. If GL snowballs early, they take one. I'm going with a draw here.
Aurora Gaming
My take
The big bad bully against the fast boys. PlayTime plays 10x more aggressively than anyone, and DarkMago is a problem—but Aurora's 5-man Dota is just on a different planet right now. If it goes late, Nightfall ends it. I'm going with Aurora, but PlayTime will make map 1 a bloodbath.
✓ Aftermath
Mikoto is carrying Aurora in the EWC. This dude is a monster, some Miracle- from Indonesia.
Draw (1–1)
My take
I got burned underestimating L1GA once already—these dudes qualified for TI 2026; they are NOT a yolo stack. But Liquid, even a shaky Liquid, plays that fast Dota that can break L1GA's tempo. I'm going with a draw.
✗ Aftermath
Weird…. So, they could steal a map from PlayTime but played on the backfoot in both series against Liquid? Not only this, but L1GA was soooooo afraid of Liquid that they didn't make ANY move on the map.
Nigma Galaxy
My take
It's official, from my POV, Level UP can't win a single game against tier 1 teams. Yesterday Liquid almost pushed them out in 18 minutes. So, it's the safest prediction in this tournament.
✓ Aftermath
Wow… Am I dreaming? Nigma will fight Aurora for the first slot in group B?
PARIVISION
My take
Here's the real match of the day. PARIVISION is the big bad bully of the EWC — 4-0, dismantling everyone. But MOUZ is NOT the tier 2 stack from a month ago; MidOne is farming, they're playing structured, and they drew Spirit. This is the toughest test PV has had. Still, nobody outfarms Satanic right now. I'm going with PARIVISION.
✓ Aftermath
I keep saying it over and over again: this PV squad is scary. Imagine that they won against MOUZ, who are extremely aggressive in early skirmishes. Guess what? MOUZ lost in 20 minutes.
Vici Gaming
My take
Both are basically out, but Vici is just cleaner — they smashed REKONIX 2-0. Nemesis had their miracle in the SA qualifiers, but that magic runs out against a disciplined team. I'm going with Vici Gaming
✓ Aftermath
XinQ is insane; he had a Divine Rapier on the Zeus. He had the biggest damage dealer in the game. How can you even do that? Ona, position 4, Zeus?
Team Spirit
My take
REKONIX is winless and heading home; let's be real. Spirit found their footing against Nemesis, and this is the confidence boost they need. I don't see REKONIX stealing anything here. I'm going with Spirit. 2-0.
Team Yandex
My take
LGD is dangerous—they smoked OG 2-0—but they have that never-ending need to fight non-stop, and Yandex punishes exactly that. Clean 5-man execution beats chaos. I'm going with a Yandex. Because LGD can steal one if TaiLung gets rolling, as they did in the BLAST SLAM Finals.
✓ Aftermath
Wow…. I thought it would be more of a fight, but it was a methodical dismembering. Somehow, Yandex is always 2 steps ahead of LGD. Not to mention this Chira_Junior Invoker. I don't get it. Why are people not banning it?
Draw (1–1)
My take
1win is 4-0, but they've been BARELY winning — outfarming teams in the last 8 minutes rather than dominating. OG is greedy, farms a lot, and holds the high ground (which is exactly what troubles the ex-Tundra boys). This looks like a split to me. I'm going with a draw.
✓ Aftermath
Told you :) Yopaj on his Leshrac carried OG to a win. Also, it's insane that a Drow Ranger can dismantle Spectre in the late game; Dota shouldn't work like this imho.
Virtus.pro
My take
Two teams I don't trust with my life. But I'm still picking VP to win this match, just based on the farming patterns and the fact they have 20x more experience in the tier 1 skirmishes.
✓ Aftermath
With this win, VP is still in the game, and they have a chance to get out of the group stage. But still, why can't they play like this against tier 1 teams?
Team Falcons
My take
I see the same issues for GamerLegion that I've seen for the last 4 tournaments. They just don't know what to do with the lead they have. If they couldn't breach the high ground against Xtreme, how can they do that to Falcons (who are the best in this niche)?
✓ Aftermath
Falcons are so suffocating that it's stressful to watch them, not necessary to play against them. GL had a small chance with the Drow Ranger on Ghost, but it's understandable how hard it is to match up to this kind of high ground pressure from Falcons.
Xtreme Gaming
My take
It would be interesting to see this match, because Poor Rangers are also farming a lot. But I'm going with Xtreme Gaming to win the match just because they are greedier and will hold the ground until they reach full items on Ame.
✗ Aftermath
Insane… The ONLY guy who picks Morphling in this meta is Ame. TA2000 was on autoclick on his Terrorblade because you can't do a thing to him on Morphling (because it is a dead hero in this meta).
BetBoom Team
My take
It's hard to go against BetBoom here. Yes, Copy can make a difference, but you can't beat BB if you're not an aggressive early snowballer, which Rune Eaters aren't.
Nigma Galaxy
My take
Match of the days right here. Actually, my model favors NIGMA more than Liquid, but here is the catch. Liquid is playing fast, and if they catch SumaiL 2/3 times, I believe that they will take the momentum from NIGMA and be able to steal a map.
✗ Aftermath
Ohhh boy, man, is this even real? Since when has Nigma been so strong? They didn't let Liquid even win the early game. Insane performance by Suma1L; good job.
Aurora Gaming
My take
Aurora is a better team in any department. Because they are always playing as 5, L1GA can scrap with them, but if it goes to late game, they can't beat them in team fights.
PlayTime
My take
PlayTime will dismantle Level Up in both maps. You need to understand that Liquid didn't let them any room to breathe, let alone imagine PlayTime, who are 10x more aggressive in early to mid-game.
✓ Aftermath
I told you that this will be a slugfest. PlayTime is like a lunatic running around with a chainsaw.
Team Spirit
My take
I see the same issue on VG as I've seen in the beginning. They can't push the high ground. I don't know why they are playing fast, but when it comes to taking towers and racks, they make a ton of bad decisions. Based on this, they will need to fight a team that can stay on the high ground forever.
✓ Aftermath
Now we're talking! Yatoro is back on the horse, and he literally destroyed Vici. The problem with Vici is the same over and over again: they have the lead, they take stupid fights (like they are fighting without Shiro), and they are losing the game.
MOUZ
My take
MOUZ is insanely good. It looks like they changed the strategy where MidOne is the one to farm instead of Crystallis, and it's working. They will ragdoll Team Nemesis in both maps.
✗ Aftermath
Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, throws more than MOUZ. It's incredible how they are managing to lose skirmishes when they have a 20k gold lead.
PARIVISION
My take
A hard match for REKONIX. But, a funny note on the side: REKONIX took a map from PV in the BLAST SLAM VII. It will not be a case here; PV is just on another level in terms of skill and execution.
Team Yandex
My take
Nope, I can't trust VP anymore. Not after what I saw yesterday. They are undisciplined, and Timado just refuses to buy the GODDAMN BKB. Yandex will punish this recklessness.
✓ Aftermath
Is someone even surprised? Yandex won both maps in 20 minutes. We can clearly see that Timado is extremely tilted, and he just feeds a lot.
OG
My take
You can hate OG as much as you want. But they are legit good. Yes, they may lose a map here and there, but they farm A LOT and can stay on the high ground. I don't think IC can do anything to Natsumi and the boys.
✓ Aftermath
Strong performance by OG, and now they are out of the conversation to go home after the group stage.
Draw (1–1)
My take
It's a hard game to predict because GamerLegion stomped PR and Xtreme barely had a draw with Rune Eaters. BUT, Xtreme is more of a late-game assurance team, so I doubt GL can take them out in 35 minutes. Going with a draw.
✗ Aftermath
unbelievable… I swear to God, GamerLegion are cursed with this high ground. What is the point of farming if you have such a lead? What was the point of giving Ame that Lone Druid 2 TIMES!! Did you think that Necrophos would outcarry the goddamn bear?
BetBoom Team
My take
That will be a quick 2-0 for BetBoom. They are the scariest team against a slightly slower team that can't win lanes. And how are you going to win the lanes against BB?
✓ Aftermath
Now you understand what experience means? BetBoom just won one team fight, and then they pushed the throne. Also, Lina is back on the menu?
Team Falcons
My take
Falcons are just stronger in the late-game meta. After what I saw yesterday, it looks like Rune Eaters also like to play late-game. Based on this, it's safe to say that Falcons are clearly favorites to win this match without much headache.
Draw (1–1)
My take
We have a match of the day right here. On the one hand we have the big bad bully (Aurora), and on the other hand we have Nigma, who looks absolutely amazing with the new squad. I am not YET sold on the NIGMA'S roster, so I will go with a draw.
Team Liquid
My take
Even with the worst possible performance from Team Liquid, they still take this without any sweat.
✓ Aftermath
There is nothing to comment on here. There are levels to this game. I understand there is immense stress when you need to stay against Nisha on Ember Spirit, but Liquid made it look like a walk in the park.
PARIVISION
My take
It is a nice match to see, but Vici is sloppy; they can't keep up with the pressure from PV. We saw yesterday that they can BARELY push high ground even against REKONIX.
✓ Aftermath
PARIVISION is the big bad bully of the EWC. Man, they look dominating. They even had an Earth Spirit as position 4 for 9Class (which they flex between Noone and him). Absolutely amazing Dota.
MOUZ
My take
Prepare for some YOLO plays from both teams. But MOUZ will definitely squeeze them off the map in 25 minutes. They are fighting non-stop, and REKONIX just isn't ready for this kind of pressure.
✓ Aftermath
MidOne is on fire. I didn't have many expectations from MOUZ (well, because they lost TI qualifiers and played like a tier 2 stack in the last 4 tournaments). But now, I see a lot of farming patterns, and they are starting to be a problem in group C.
Team Spirit
My take
Spirit got lucky here, because now they can beat Nemesis and gain some confidence. I don't believe that Nemesis can take down even this version of Team Spirit that we saw yesterday.
Draw (1–1)
My take
I don't know; I'm not sold on 1Win's performance at all. They BARELY hang out with tier 2 teams. VP is clearly the same as always (they can throw any game), and they are somewhat afraid to push. But I think both maps will go to 70 minutes or more, and it will end up in a draw.
✗ Aftermath
Yeah, there is nothing to say here. VP is the strangest team to me. They always look somewhat prepared on day one of the tournament, and they just look like a 5-man pub stack. Timado just refuses to buy the goddamn Black King Bar on his TA. A deserved loss.
Draw (1–1)
My take
2 teams that are very evenly matched. If the game is 30 minutes long, LGD will suffocate OG on the map. If it goes to late game, OG is greedier and can hold the high ground (which LGD always has a problem with). I'm going with a draw here.
✗ Aftermath
Complete domination by LGD in both maps. I don't know, it's like OG are afraid of them or even afraid to engage in fights. More than that, TaiLung outfarmed SF on a mid Shadow Fiend… Oh, forgot about Wisper on his Pudge, who actually won the map 2.
Team Yandex
My take
This should be as one-sided as me against Gpk~ on mid.
✓ Aftermath
There are levels to this game. Yandex even picked the Phantom Lancer for watson. If PARIVISION is the big bad bully of the EWC, Yandex is more like the strategic genius for the EWC.
Draw (1–1)
My take
Clearly the match of the day. Malr1ne is back. That alone changes everything—remember what Falcons looked like without him at BLAST Slam VII? Gpk is always dangerous. But in this slow meta where games go 60 minutes, ATF and Malr1ne (hell, even skiter) just outfarm everyone. I'm going with a draw here.
✓ Aftermath
As I said, two different teams, two different playstyles. When BB plays fast, it is kind of hard to counter that with a Necrophos. I believe the Falcons should stick with these beefy strats that they play. There is no need for Malr1ne to play on Ember Spirit just because it is OP in the midgame.
GamerLegion
My take
I genuinely want to see TA2000 do well here. But GL is a nightmare in the early game if you don't ban Kez or Ember, and poor Rangers won't. I'm going with GamerLegion.
✓ Aftermath
This has got to be the most insane Nature's Prophet from Ghost. The dude went 3-3-21. He was basically farming the whole Poor Rangers team. Flawless performance from GamerLegion; let's hope they can keep up this energy further.
Xtreme Gaming
My take
I keep giving Xtreme chances, and they keep embarrassing me. But this is a qualifier team. Even a broken Xtreme with Ame farming for 40 minutes should be enough. I'm going with Xtreme. Prove me wrong, guys. Again.
✗ Aftermath
Unbelievable… Xtreme looks really lost. Even if they won map 2, it wasn't convincing. Ame is still doing Ame things. I mean, what was that Windranger in map 1?
Draw (1–1)
My take
You never know what kind of Team Liquid version will show up. Buckle up; this will be a 70-minute bloodbath in each map. I'm going with a draw because I believe PlayTime needs to prove their worth after that 3-0 loss to LGD in the qualifiers.
Draw (1–1)
My take
I know that you think Sumail and Lorenof will destroy L1GA. But let me tell you something you don't know: L1GA qualified for The International 2026 just a week ago, and they are NOT your yolo tier 2 team. These dudes are legit, and I think they will steal a map from Nigma Galaxy.
Aurora Gaming
My take
That's another bad draw, but this time for Level UP. Aurora is hungry after two runner-up finishes in a row. Nightfall on Phantom Lancer alone ends this. I'm going with Aurora. 2-0.
✓ Aftermath
Skill difference in both maps; you just can't beat Aurora if you don't play as 5.
Team Spirit
My take
MOUZ will cause at least one upset in this tournament—they always do. But against Spirit? No chance. I'm going with Team Spirit.
✗ Aftermath
Yeah, Spirit won the first map just because they have some nerves of steel. I don't know, they don't look scary at all. MOUZ actually outfarmed them in both maps. Yatoro didn't have his king aura in this match.
Vici Gaming
My take
REKONIX earned their spot, and I respect that. But Vici is just better in every department. I'm going with Vici Gaming. 2-0.
✓ Aftermath
It feels like REKONIX doesn't have that knowledge of what to do with the lead they have. I understand that in game 1, it was lost from the beginning, but what about map 2? They were leading the game with Drow Ranger, and then suddenly they took 2 bad fights and lost the game.
PARIVISION
My take
Man, what a brutal draw for Nemesis. Astini is a genius coach, and they surprised everyone in the SA qualifiers. But boys, this is PARIVISION—the DreamLeague champions. Satanic will outfarm whatever they put on the map before they finish their starting items. I'm going with PARIVISION.
✓ Aftermath
I was a beatdown. It's no fun to play PARIVISION on the day of the group stage, I'll tell you that.
Team Yandex
My take
I've seen OG play in the IT qualifiers, and I don't think their playstyle will match well against Yandex. The thing is, they play super greedy and I believe this will be their downfall. Yandex will pressure them early and will push the high ground in 25 minutes.
✗ Aftermath
Ahhh, such a close game by Yandex. But, credit where it's due, OG stood their ground and were playing on the back foot the whole time. They won 1 team fight and then just pushed Yandex. Am I tripping, or is Earth Spirit really overpowered in the mid?
LGD Gaming
My take
Three tournaments in a row of disappointment from VP. And they just lost the TI qualifiers to a tier 2 team. I don't know what else to tell you. I'm going with LGD. 2-0.
✗ Aftermath
Goddamn Windranger. VP won the map just because Timado is probably the best player on Windranger carry in the game. Also, LGD has this never-ending need to fight non-stop. I understand that this is the SA way to just fight, but sometimes they need to chill and farm.
1win
My take
This is ex-Tundra, boys. Yes, they've been struggling. But IC x Insanity is not the team that can hang with them. I'm going with 1win. 2-0.
✓ Aftermath
I don't want to be a hater, but 1Win BARELY won both maps. I mean, they were losing the map 2 the whole time, and then they just outfarmed IC and won. Yeah, also 423 is NOT a Beastmaster carry player; there is no need to be top 1 in net worth and just try to outfarm Pure on a Drow Ranger.
