The Esports World Cup playoffs are here, and from this point onwards there’s no second chance. FURIA and Aurora meet in the Round of 16 knowing that the winner moves on to the quarter-finals, while the losing team packs their bags. With the tournament now in a single-elimination bracket, every map carries even greater importance, making the veto just as important as what happens on the server.

On paper, FURIA come into the series as deserved favourites. The Brazilian side have spent far more time competing against tier-one opposition, and that experience could prove decisive in a high-pressure playoff match.

Aurora, however, shouldn’t be underestimated. The team has grown into the tournament after a solid group stage and looks far more comfortable than they did in their opening matches. While they may not have the same experience as FURIA, they’ve built confidence with every series and have shown they’re capable of challenging stronger opponents when they get the maps they want.

FURIA have the deeper map pool

One of FURIA’s biggest strengths heading into this matchup is their flexibility. The Brazilians are comfortable across a wider range of maps, making them far less predictable during the veto. That gives them the freedom to attack Aurora’s strengths rather than simply protecting their own weaknesses.

Anubis has been Aurora’s best map throughout the tournament and is expected to be FURIA’s first ban. Taking away Aurora’s biggest comfort pick would force them onto maps where FURIA have looked considerably stronger over a longer period.

FURIA also have multiple reliable options of their own, making it difficult for opponents to shut them down with a single ban.

Aurora will need Mirage

Aurora’s recent improvement has largely been built around a small group of maps. Mirage and Anubis have produced many of their strongest performances, and with Anubis likely disappearing in the first phase of the veto, Mirage becomes even more important. Aurora will almost certainly look to remove either Nuke or Dust2, two maps where FURIA have consistently looked dangerous. If the veto plays out that way, both teams should end up on at least one map they’re comfortable playing.

The veto points towards a close series

This doesn’t feel like a matchup where either team should run away with a quick 2-0. FURIA have the stronger roster, greater experience and the deeper map pool, but Aurora have improved throughout the tournament and are playing with plenty of confidence. If they secure Mirage, they’ll have every chance of taking a map before the series heads to a decider. That’s what makes this matchup particularly interesting from a betting perspective.

Verdict

FURIA deserve to be favourites and should have enough quality to reach the quarter-finals. However, Aurora have shown enough during the group stage to suggest they won’t go down without a fight. The expected veto also gives both teams a realistic opportunity to secure their own map pick. In a win-or-go-home playoff match, that makes a deciding third map look like the strongest angle.

Tip

Over 2.5 Maps