What to expect from EG Black v. Grayhound

It's not an island of misfit toys, this is a genuine NA team that has the capability to contend amongst the best. With players like Jadan "HexT" Postma, Paytyn "junior" Johnson, and Will "RUSH" Wierzba who have all played in Majors, they give the squad a level of experience not many comparable teams can actually match. When you add in the rising talents of Colby "Walco" Walsh and Jeorge "jeorge" Endicott, this squad has legs and they are looking to take down some heavy hitters.

Can another EG Blueprint team win an event?

Look, it's certainly possible. I would even argue that for EG Black they are evenly matched against Grayhound, which is no disrespect to the Australians, but probably an indictment of how much hype we are buying into surrounding this squad. junior has looked like a completely different player since joining the organization and HexT is coming back after months on the main squad, where he undoubtedly gained invaluable experience.

• In the last three months, junior has a 1.27 Rating and 1.21 Impact

• jeorge is an incredible rock in a team that needs stability

• HexT had a ridiculous 53.7% T-side opener success rate in ECL last season

Grayhound are the hometown heroes

This is the event for the Australians. Once again they are headed to the Major and once again they are looking to make sure that everyone who picks them 0-3 will certainly regret it. To get their Major hopes started on the right path, they need to do it by beating one of Evil Geniuses' teams in a convincing fashion. It's a hometown event for the Aussies and to get on stage in front of all their fans should be motivation enough for the squad.

• Unclear if you're aware, but INS literally has a 1.24 Rating in the last three months

• Matching RUSH, Liazz has a wealth of experience to lean on

• Grayhound have the hometown factor behind them; never doubt Aussie teams on Aussie soil

A first-time fracas

Neither team have met before, but RUSH and Liazz certainly know one another from their time battling it out in North America when Liazz was a part of Renegades and 100 Thieves.

Likely Vetoes

I'm actually certainly at a loss for this one, as I have no idea who will be picking or banning what, but lets assume shall we?

• Grayhound ban Overpass

• EG Black ban Ancient

• EG Black ban Nuke

• Grayhound ban Anubis

• Grayhound ban Vertigo

• EG Black I believe will ban Inferno, leaving it to Mirage as the map.

Now, this could go completely wrong, as I can also see EG Black leaving in Inferno with Grayhound also possibly allowing it to go through. There are too many things happening! Either way, this is going to be a great match tonight regardless.