What to expect from Liquid v. Apeks

If Liquid's run from 0-2 in the Challengers Stage to 3-1 in Legends took a lot of fans by surprise, Apeks' performance at the BLAST.tv Paris Major certainly is one to remember as well. The most poetic part is that the teams played each other in Round 1 of the Challengers Stage with the European squad winning the match, and now they meet in the first round of playoffs.

What's also poetic is that while Apeks qualified for the second stage with a 3-1 record and Liquid did the same with a 3-2 record, Apeks qualified for the playoffs with a 3-2 record as Liquid managed a 3-1 record. These two teams have similar paths, but the North American side only lost a BO3 against Heroic, while Apeks lost two, one against G2 and another against GamerLegion, both 0-2.

Liquid can go all the way, just believe in them

Liquid's journey in Paris has been one to remember already. From a slow start in the Challengers Stage to a title-contender level of performance during the Legends Stage, from losing a miserable map to Fluxo to having a 14-1 lead against NAVI. We have seen the best and the worst of this team during the two weeks in Paris, what can we expect to see from them today?

• oSee being the hype man saw made the team and himself perform better

• NAF's form has been almost perfect after Round 1

• nitr0 showed good firepower when not calling

• EliGE needs to have a consistent series

• YEKINDAR's ability to call and frag is crucial

But don't underestimate Apeks, never

Do you know those pesky teams no one cares about because they are not partnered with tournament organizers? That's exactly what Apeks is. Not being partnered, makes a lot of very good teams not get the attention they deserve, and Apeks (and the other three non-partnered teams in the playoffs) are exactly that. Not long ago, this Apeks team was winning Fragadelphia 17, and ESEA Advanced in Europe. They are constantly fighting for titles in the European Tier 2 Jungle. Tread very carefully.

• Very cohesive and consistent team

• When one frags, everyone frags

• When things go bad, they go really bad

• Very experienced line-up with jkaem, STYKO, and nawwk

Why can't you underestimate them?

As previously mentioned, the teams have met in Paris already. Round 1 of the Challengers Stage saw a BO1 between Liquid and Apeks where the Europeans took a 16-12 win. Not discrediting Apeks, but, according to Liquid players, that game doesn't reflect the current Liquid, the team was uncomfortable and it was the first official with Mareks "YEKINDAR" Gaļinskis calling.

Likely Vetoes

The previous match-up between Liquid and Apeks had Ancient being played out. Today shall be no different, with the exception that two more maps will be chosen.

• Liquid ban Vertigo - usual first ban

• Apeks ban Nuke - usual first ban

• Liquid pick Overpass - usual first pick and four straight wins in the map

• Apeks pick Ancient - usual first pick and confident after win over Liquid in Round 1

• Inferno left as the decider - just how NA likes it

Extras

This is one of the rare few times Liquid have been considered favorites by betting websites. The highest odd in favor of Liquid is 1.69 and the lowest is 1.40. For Apeks, the highest odd in their favor is 2.90 and the lowest is 2.19.