G2 Esports vs Astralis

Last but certainly not least, we have G2 Esports facing off against Astralis. An absolute shellacking, you're probably thinking and, frankly, nine times out of ten you'd be right. This time, however, we're not so sure that's the case. And just writing such a thing makes one feel strange, as if we're inhabiting a different kind of timeline, one in which Astralis can *actually* stand shoulder to shoulder with the greatest Western team of all time.

What'll end up happening still remains to be seen, but the fact that we're even thinking twice about it is a true testament to Astralis' growth and resilience. G2 are struggling in a myriad of ways and no one's all too sure whether they'll be able to bounce back in time. As always, the odds are in their favor (they're G2, after all), but they're also on a four-game losing streak, so it's impossible not to wonder: is the G2 era truly over? Or is this just a short, temporary detour before they once again mount a comeback for the ages?

We're worried, is all, and there's a good reason why. They're so bad right now it doesn't even make sense — these are still some of the best players who've ever taken flesh, so what's wrong? Why have things gone so awry? Unfortunately, there's still no definitive answer in sight. We'll simply have to wait and see whether they'll be able to correct course and rebound. There's enough time left, so not all is grim, but G2's backs are against the wall, and they need to deliver, perhaps now more than ever.

To make things even more complicated, Astralis have looked mighty competitive lately. They're still a bottom-tier team, but they sure can pack a punch once they get on the same page and execute to the best of their ability. They took down Schalke 04 and Vitality last week which, while not necessarily historic, is still a good sign for the organization and its "budget-friendly" roster. Will they be able to take down G2 as well? Odds are, probably not, but they'll probably make things a lot more competitive than anyone thought was possible.

In the end, we'll side with G2 on this one as they've historically performed best in the most nerve-wracking of moments. They need a statement win, and if they play even *remotely* well they should definitely be able to get their hands raised tonight.