Gfinity
We’re into Week 5 of the Gfinity Elite Series, with the race for the playoffs hotting up and lots of pivotal clashes to come across this weekend’s action. Let’s run down the matchups for you, shall we?
SFV
We start Friday’s action with an intriguing clash as Method take on Epsilon. Method are firmly mid-table after defeating Reason last week, whilst poor Epsilon prop up the table with just one point. It may be too late for them to mount a playoff charge, but Season 1 semi-finalists Epsilon will be desperate for the win regardless; Method are in for a tricky battle.
Next up are two teams in the bottom half of the table as Endpoint tackle Reason. In SaltyKid, Reason have arguably the most talked-about star in this Elite Series, but he alone could not prevent defeat against Method last week. A complete performance is needed from Reason this Friday against an Endpoint team without a win since Week 1.
The third match sees Envy do battle with exceL. After handing Infused their first defeat of the season last week, all eyes are on 2nd place Envy, and the last thing they’ll want is to slip up to a defeat of their own against mid-table exceL.
Our final match of the night is a big one: Prophecy vs Infused. A grandstand clash between the unbeaten league leaders and the team who were also unbeaten until last week’s shock defeat to Envy. Infused will be fired up and desperate to bounce back, and Prophecy are in for their toughest test so far of Season 2.
ROCKET LEAGUE
Similar to their SFV squad, Prophecy’s Rocket League team are unbeaten in Season 2, and they face Endpoint in Saturday’s first match. Back-to-back wins in recent weeks have got Endpoint’s season moving in the right direction, and ending Prophecy’s unbeaten run would be a huge statement of intent from the reigning champions.
Both Envy and Infused have struggled for results this season with only one win between them; they face off in the second contest of the day. A win for Envy will keep their slim playoff hopes alive, whereas Season 1 semi-finalists Infused just need to get points of any kind on the board in Season 2. With Doomsee saying goodbye, will a new Infused lineup be the change they desperately need?
Next up is, on paper, the most one-sided matchup of Week 5; unbeaten Reason vs winless Epsilon. Finalists in Season 1, Epsilon have had a torrid time so far in Season 2, and need a win desperately. If they get it against a dominant Reason team, looking to extend their own winning run, it’ll be one of the biggest shocks of this Elite Series.
Finally, Method tackle exceL in what looks set to be an evenly-matched contest. Season 1 top goalscorer Mognus has been in fantastic form for Method of late while exceL are coming off a defeat to Prophecy. The odds seem to be slightly in Method’s favour, but not by much; expect a tight-fought battle.
CS:GO
We commence Saturday afternoon with Envy vs Prophecy, a battle between two teams with only one win each. Prophecy took their first victory of the season against exceL last week and will sense a chance for back-to-back wins against an Envy team coming off a one-sided defeat to Endpoint. However, Envy will be back up to full strength with their Academy team returning from Clash of Nations, so don’t expect another blowout.
Reigning champions Epsilon suffered their first defeat since Week 7 of Season 1 last Saturday as they were toppled by Reason in an enthralling contest. They will be looking to bounce back against fifth-place Infused, one position and five points behind them and also coming off of a loss last week. Can they capitalise on a wounded Epsilon and clinch their second win of Season 2?
The next match sees Epsilon’s conquerors Reason take on exceL. After such an important win, Reason will be brimming with confidence and momentum; they start as favourites against an exceL team with only one win to their name in Season 2.
The final contest of Week 5 pairs off league leaders Method against Endpoint. This match is almost impossible to call; both are coming off victories in Week 4, and both are tied on three wins and 10 points. All signs point towards a thrilling main event, and the deadlock will be broken on Saturday night – just don’t ask us to predict which way it’ll go.
WHERE TO WATCH
You can check out the Elite Series live on Twitch! Street Fighter V starts at 6pm Friday, Rocket League 10am Saturday and CS:GO 4pm Saturday (all times BST.)
Watch live video from GfinityTV on www.twitch.tv