CBLOL 2023: Furia Should Be Favorites to Win Against Kabum Esports

• Fluxo could be a reliable pick in an even money game against paIN Gaming

• Furia should be favorites to win against Kabum Esports

• Red Canids should be able to continue their impressive run of form

paiN Gaming vs Fluxo Picks

Fluxo

paiN Gaming vs Fluxo Predictions

A Clash of Equals

One of the big advantages of a double round-robin pool that has teams playing 18 games is there’s enough time to bounce back from early setbacks as paiN and Fluxo have experienced. This means despite languishing in the bottom half of the points table with 1-3 win-loss records, they can so easily get on a roll with a series of wins that could vault them into the mid-table. 

However, with the luck of the draw pitting them against each other, only one team can make the move this weekend. The current form and where they’re placed on the table has had a direct effect on punters’ pick. Both sides have near-equal odds which effectively means you’re going to have a tough time picking a winner. There’s no clear demarcation here.

paiN in a Position of Pain

paiN only need to look as far back as split-2 of 2022, where they finished third overall, thereby securing a playoff berth. They were dominant at the start, suffered a bit of turbulence in the middle but rebounded superbly to make it to the top six. They will need the exact opposite here. The start has been poor, so the only way is up. 

They can’t sink lower. In their most recent outing, the gulf between them and the top six stood superbly exposed. Los Grandes dominated from start to finish, accruing 62.5k gold to paiN’s 48.4. They also landed 16 kills, 10 more than their opponents, apart from nine tower captures. 

Dynquedo’s offensive proficiency was put to a stern test, but in managing just 3 kills, 3 deaths, and 1 assist, his performances left a lot to be desired. That said, the lack of support from the mid-lane and AD Carry has been glaring. It’s something they can ill-afford going forward.

Fluxo Traverse Similar Path

Fluxo’s journey has been a lot similar to paiN’s. After a loss to Los Grand and Liberty, they rebounded with a win against LOUD but familiar failings came back to haunt them against FURIA. After debuting with a loss to Los Grandes, Fluxo lost to Liberty in the 2nd round. In Week 2, hauz and company outscored LOUD but fell to FURIA .

The one thing that they can be forgiven for is exhaustive preparation since they’re a relatively new team that had little time to acclimatize, and got into the heat of the battle almost immediately.

KaBuM! esports vs FURIA Picks

Furia

KaBuM! esports vs FURIA Predictions

FURIA Favourites in Keen Tussle

KaBuM! Are in the mid-table along with FURIA. Both teams have a 2-2 record. The wins have been dominating, and losses quite deflating. 

It’s fair to say they haven’t yet found a middle path between going all-out aggressive and playing a fairly defensive brand of play that focuses on being patient and narrowing down on kills rather than a brazen strategy that looks mighty spectacular when it comes off.

KaBuM! Weighed Down by Recent History

KaBuM! Can potentially be weighed down by their history. Last season too, in split 2, they flattered to deceive and eventually finished fifth in the table with an 11-7 win-loss record. FURIA had no such troubles in flexing their muscle and vaulting their way to the top spot with a 15-3 record after nine exhaustive weeks of compelling action. 

There’s a reason why they are overwhelming favorites for this. One, form is on their side. They have repaid the faith in much of the same roster, sticking to the age-old philosophy of not fixing something that ain’t broke, and so far, there’s little to suggest signs of turbulence even though they’ve lost two games.

 INTZ vs Los Grandes Picks

INTZ 

INTZ vs Los Grandes Predictions

Five-time Champs INTZ Start Clean 

It’s a clash of the experienced against a new, dynamic outfit that has swept the LoL scene in Brazil with their fear-inducing, aggressive gameplay that has earned plaudits from several quarters. Yet, in terms of results not much separates the two teams. That said, there’s plenty of time before a definite trend emerges.

INTZ are in a five-way race for third with a 2-2 win-loss record, while Los Grandes are among the early pace-setters, having emerged clear of the logjam. They are currently second with a 3-1 record, and a win will help open up a slender advantage over the other teams.

 Since 2021, when CBLOL turned into a franchise-based tournament, INTZ have had their best-ever start to a campaign, although the loss in their most-recent outing will come as a bit of a dampener. In the four previous splits, they managed a lone win in their first four games. By that count, the 2-2 record presently seems a lot more encouraging. But they will also be mindful of 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th respectively in the last four splits.

 What INTZ have done this time around is overhauled their structure, that’s both the playing roster as well as their management group. That means they’re all starting afresh. All said the five-time CBLOl champs haven't yet made the playoffs in the franchise era. This is a great chance.

 Los Grandes Ride Novelty Wave

 There’s a novelty to whatever Los Grandes do since they don’t have a history of competing. But their roster has been a fine fusion of home-grown Brazilians and Koreans who have had considerable experience over time. 

They owe much of their success in the wins to the awesome combination of Ranger and HiRit, who have so far lived up to their top billing. Playing as a team for the first time can bring with it some challenges, but so far, Los Grandes haven’t played like a newbie.

 RED Canids vs LOUD Picks

RED Canids

 RED Canids vs LOUD Predictions

 RED Canids Favourites but Can’t Underestimate LOUD

 RED Canids are cruising high and happy, having surged to four wins in a row and showing no signs of slowing down. All these games have been won convincingly and has pointed to a terrific camaraderie and synergy between teammates.

 Their opponents, LOUD, are sitting in the mid-table logjam with a 2-2 record. On current form, pick CANIDS as favorites for they’re likely to give you a better bang for your buck. 

 LOUD’s Improved Win Ratio

 That said, LOUD, the current CBLOL champs, isn’t an outfit that can be taken lightly. This is something CANIDS would be the first to accept. After three years of being in the mid-table, LOUD have taken the next step towards becoming a top-tier outfit, with their win rate of 61% in 2022 being a testament to this fact.

 Competing in the world champs last year has only made them battle-hardened even more. Despite Brance and Von leaving the squad to pursue opportunities elsewhere, LOUD haven’t played like an outfit looking to prove a point. 

How to Watch CBLOL Spring 2023

• Teams: Red Canids vs Loud, INTZ vs Los Grandes, Kabum vs Furia, paIN Gaming vs Fluxo

• Location: Brazil

• Time: Saturday, February 4 at 11 am ET onwards

• How to watch: CBLOL Twitch channel