Apeks and B8 will meet in the fifth round of the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023 Europe RMR A for a chance to qualify for the majors. However, the loser will not lose anything as he will go to play an additional stage.
To be honest, the Ukrainian team couldn't cope with the pressure and was frankly at a loss as after two victories they absolutely lost their way and in BO3 they looked like typical TIER-2 players.
However, it's not all so clear for Apeks, which doesn't seem to be a stable team. Yes, the boys have managed two wins here, but I wouldn't call them encouraging.
So here, expecting the boys to return, I'd take a closer look at the card from the B8 team. All the more so against a backdrop like this, the Ukrainians can believe in themselves again.
Apeks form
The 38th ranked team in the world managed to fail in qualification for ESL Challenger Melbourne 2023, and also infamously played the BetBoom Playlist Urbanistic 2023.
However, when looking at the Long Corner at BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023 Europe RMR A, the European squad managed to cope with GamerLegion and Sprout.
On the other hand, Apeks also lost to FaZe Clan and Bad News Eagles, where they did everything they could to bury themselves. All in all, I wouldn't consider the team in the context of favourites as there are a lot of 'buts'.
Recent Apeks results:
- A 0-2 defeat to MOUZ.
- 16-8 win over GamerLegion.
- Defeat to FaZe Clan, 13-16.
- Bad News Eagles, 16-19.
- 2-0 win over Sprout.
Apeks top scorers:
- Anubis - 76% wins.
- Ancient - 62% wins.
- Overpass - 53% wins.
- Inferno - 52% wins.
- Mirage - 50% wins.
Don't forget that the European squad usually gives up Nuke.
Form B8
The 42nd ranked team in the world played at ESEA Advanced Season 44 Europe and refused to play in the grand final so as not to face the dubious Hungarians.
However, at the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023 Europe RMR A, the Ukrainian team managed to pull off two high-profile sensations, beating MOUZ and Virtus.pro almost without a chance.
Nevertheless, B8 went back to square one as they lost to fnatic and Into the Breach. It was close in places, but the lads clearly had too much faith in themselves and said too much for which they began to receive.
Latest B8 results:
- A 9-16 loss to Taipan.
- 16-9 win over MOUZ.
- Beat Virtus.pro 16-14.
- Defeat at the hands of fnatic, 1-2.
- Defeat to Into the Breach by a score of 1-2.
Best B8 scores:
- Mirage - 100% wins.
- Nuke - 73% wins.
- Ancient - 64% wins.
- Anubis - 60% wins.
- Vertigo - 56% wins.
In turn, the Ukrainian team has not been featured on the Overpass map for a long time.
Match statistics Apeks - B8
The teams have not met before.
Outlook for the match Apeks - B8
It would seem that the two teams from ESEA Advanced are one step away from going to the majors. If you tell anyone, they won't believe you. But these are the realities. If we consider Apeks, it is not clear how the team found themselves at such a late stage and did not drop out, as there is no game.
In turn, the Ukrainians played great in BO1, but in the full matches they sank and almost ruined their sensation. However, the guys can still shoot, at least on one card.
So in this case I would recommend betting on the Forum on cards (+1.5) for the B8 team.
