MDL Changsha Major Betting Predictions for Day 2

The MDL Changsha Major, one of the final 3 tournaments of the Dota Pro Circuit for the 2017-2018 competitive season, is already underway. With 12 of the world’s best teams, one million dollars on the line and 1500 qualification points for The International 2018, each day brings a lot of great matches filled with excellent betting opportunities.

The MDL Changsha Major has been scheduled to take place in Changsha, China between May 14^th and May 20^th.

Participants and Tournament Format

MDL Changsha Major brings together 12 teams from 6 different regions.

• China: Newbee, Vici Gaming, iG Vitality, Invictus Gaming, PSG.LGD.
• Europe: Team Secret, OG.
• North America: VGJ.Storm.
• South America: Infamous.
• Southeast Asia: Mineski, TNC Pro Team.
• CIS: Vega Squadron.

For the Group Stage, the teams have been divided into 2 groups of 6.

Group A:

• Team Secret (2 W – 1 D – 0 L – 5p)
• Mineski (2 W – 1 D – 0 L – 5p)
• Invictus Gaming (2 W – 1 D – 0 L – 5p)
• OG (1 W – 0 D – 2 L – 2p)
• iG Vitality (0 W – 1 D – 2 L – 1p)
• Infamous (0 W – 0 D – 3 L – 0p)

Group B:

• PSG.LGD (2 W – 0 D – 0 L – 4p)
• Vici Gaming (1 W – 1 D – 0 L – 3p)
• VGJ.Storm (1 W – 0 D – 1 L – 2p)
• TNC Pro Team (0 W – 2 D – 0 L – 2p)
• Newbee (0 W – 1 D – 1 L – 1p)
• Vega Squadron (0 W – 0 D – 2 L – 0p)

In each group, every team plays a Bo2 match against every other team. Each individual game victory is worth 1 point. At the end of the Group Stage, group winners advance to the second round of the upper bracket matches. Second and third-placed teams advance to the first round of upper bracket matches. Fourth and fifth-placed teams advance to the lower bracket. The 6th placed team is eliminated.

Betting Predictions

VGJ.Storm vs. TNC Pro Team

Betway puts the odds for this match at 4.50 – 2.10 – 2.40. The most likely result is a draw, as neither of these teams is strong enough to defeat the other without dropping one game.

Vici Gaming vs. PSG.LGD

Betway puts the odds for this match at 5.50 – 2.20 – 2.10. But again, the most likely result is a draw. These two Chinese teams know each other very well and it’s unlikely that one will simply crush the other. PSG.LGD is of course stronger, but probably not strong enough to get a 2 – 0 victory over Vici Gaming.

Mineski vs. OG

Betway puts the odds for this match at 2.10 – 2.25 – 5.50. Given the enormous skill difference between these two sides, I strongly favor Mineski to crush OG in this match.

Infamous vs. iG Vitality

Betway puts the odds for this match at 5.50 – 2.10 – 2.20. Given that Infamous is much weaker than every other team in the tournament with the exception of Vega Squadron, this should be a 2 – 0 victory in favor of the Chinese squad.

Team Secret vs. Invictus Gaming

Odds: to be announced.
Team Secret proved to be in excellent shape on day 1 and I fully expect Puppey and his squad to beat IG in this match. There’s not much stopping them to be honest.

Vega Squadron vs. Newbee

Odds: to be announced.
Even though it’s in a really bad shape right now, Newbee is still lightyears ahead of Vega Squadron in every respect. The Chinese team is also known for its capacity to adapt to the situation and get better as a tournament progresses. Which is why I fully expect the TI 7 finalist to triumph over this underdog.

PSG.LGD vs. TNC Pro Team

Odds: to be announced.
Based on everything we’ve seen in the last few Dota Pro Circuit events, PSG.LGD is the strongest team in the world at the moment and should not have too many problems defeating TNC.

VGJ.Storm vs. Newbee

Odds: to be announced.
As strong as VGJ.Storm is right now, it’s still not strong enough to get a 2 – 0 victory over Newbee. On the other hand, Newbee is not nearly good enough to take a win over the GESC: Thailand champions.

Vici Gaming vs. Vega Squadron

Odds: to be announced.
This will be a quick 2 – 0 match almost for sure. Vici Gaming has been one of the strongest teams within the Dota Pro Circuit this season and is currently sitting at number 7 with 2160 points. Meanwhile, Vega has 0 points and 0 accomplishments. I’m very confident that Paparazi and his teammates will crush this CIS underdog.

Mineski vs. Invictus Gaming

Odds: to be announced.
This is another match in which the skill and results difference between the teams is absolutely enormous. Everything points towards an easy victory for Mineski.

OG vs. Infamous

Odds: to be announced.
As bad as it’s played on day 1, OG is still one tier above Infamous right now. So I can’t imagine this team losing a game to Infamous.

Team Secret vs. iG Vitality

Odds: to be announced.
In all likelihood, this match will be a walk in the park for Team Secret, who has already destroyed two opponents on day 1. iG Vitality simply lacks the leadership and individual skill to stand up to an adversary like Secret.

Newbee vs. Vici Gaming

Odds: to be announced.
Although Vici Gaming is currently much stronger than Newbee, these two teams are from the same region and actually face each other very often. Which is why it’s highly unlikely that one of them will take a 2 – 0 victory over the other.

PSG.LGD vs. VGJ.Storm

Odds: to be announced.
There is absolutely no chance for VGJ.Storm to upset this Chinese Dota 2 powerhouse. By far, the most likely result in this match is a 2 – 0 victory in favor of PSG.LGD.

TNC Pro Team vs. Vega Squadron

Odds: to be announced.
As much as I want Vega to get at least a draw in this match and keep its chances alive, the likelihood of that happening is almost 0. TNC Pro Team is simply on another level and will probably take this match with ease.