Falcons begin their BLAST Open Porto campaign against Lynn Vision in a matchup where the favourites are difficult to argue against.

The Saudi-backed roster enters the tournament looking to put a disappointing Esports World Cup behind them. Their early exit came as a surprise, particularly after falling to Legacy, and they’ll be eager to show that result was nothing more than a bad tournament rather than a sign of things to come.

For Lynn Vision, simply reaching this stage is another valuable opportunity against tier-one opposition. The Chinese side have shown they can dominate regional competition, but the gap between that level and the world’s elite has still been evident throughout the summer.

Falcons have a point to prove

The Esports World Cup didn’t go according to plan. Expectations were high, but the loss to Legacy brought their tournament to an abrupt end. That result will likely add extra motivation heading into Porto, where Falcons have an immediate chance to remind everyone why they’re still considered one of the strongest teams in the world.

There’s also a significant difference in quality between the two teams. Around thirty places separate them in the world rankings, and Falcons possess far greater firepower, experience and depth across the map pool. If they perform anywhere near their usual level, they should control this series from the opening map.

Lynn Vision struggled against elite opposition

Lynn Vision’s Esports World Cup campaign followed a familiar pattern. They were comfortably beaten by MOUZ in their opening match before responding with a solid 2-0 victory over TYLOO. That win kept their tournament alive, but the next challenge proved too much.

Against Vitality, Lynn Vision managed just seven rounds across two maps before being eliminated. It highlighted the difference between beating regional opponents and competing against the very best teams in the world. Falcons represent another major step up in class.

A difficult matchup for the Chinese side

Lynn Vision’s aggressive style can trouble teams that underestimate them, but Falcons are unlikely to make that mistake.

With the disappointment of the Esports World Cup still fresh, expect Falcons to approach this match with intensity from the very first round. Their deeper map pool should also make the veto favourable, leaving Lynn Vision with very few realistic paths to pulling off an upset.

Verdict

Falcons should arrive highly motivated after their disappointing Esports World Cup exit, and this looks like an ideal opportunity to make a statement. Lynn Vision struggled badly whenever they faced elite opposition at EWC, and this matchup doesn’t appear any easier. With the difference in quality, experience and map pool, Falcons look well positioned to secure a comfortable victory.

Tip

Falcons -1.5