ESL One Germany: mudgolems vs. Team Liquid betting analysis

By Steven Rondina

|

Oct 22, 2020

Reading time: 3 min

mudgolems has been one of the biggest surprises in Dota 2 in recent months. The squad of European veterans has broken out over recent weeks, quickly establishing themselves as a force in Dota 2’s deepest region. 

After a strong showing in BTS Pro Series Season 3, mudgolems has really cemented itself as a serious contender in Europe in ESL One Germany. The team cut its way through the group stage without much trouble and is set to face off with Team Liquid in the first round of the playoffs. 

If mudgolems can continue to cruise in the ESL One Germany playoffs, it could be the start of big things from the team.

Team Liquid vs. mudgolems ESL One Germany playoffs betting analysis

mudgolems shows that EU veterans still have it

mudgolems only formed recently, coming together for the qualifiers for ESL One Germany. Though there’s a very small sample size when it comes to mudgolems there’s a lot to like about the team, starting with its roster:

  1. Oliver “skiter” Lepko
  2. Duško “BoraNija” Boranijaševic
  3. Neta “33” Shapira
  4. Milan “MiLAN” Kozomara
  5. Adrian “Fata” Trinks

Most of mudgolems’ roster has spent time in the tier-one scene at one point or another, with 33 and Fata helping to reestablish Alliance as a top western team. The duo was surprisingly kicked from the organization in March, then returned to pro play by pulling together a number of other free agents looking for a home.

The team debuted by qualifying for ESL One Germany, and followed that up with a second-place performance at BTS Pro Series Season 3. While mudgolems didn’t face the stiffest of competition during that time, it did face some solid opposition in the group stage of ESL One Germany.

mudgolems earned a spot in the playoffs by beating Cyber Legacy, Natus Vincere, and Team Nigma. That’s enough to take the team seriously moving forward and it could be the start of something big.

Team Liquid continues to underwhelm

Team Liquid was a mixed bag in the last Dota 2 season. It placed in the top six in the first two Dota Pro Circuit majors, but was up and down throughout the online league era. One of the longest-standing rosters of the tier-one scene remained intact during the fall roster shuffle, and looks to continue growing into 2021:

  1. Michael “miCKe” Vu
  2. Max “qojqva” Bröcker
  3. Samuel “Boxi” Svahn
  4. Tommy “Taiga” Le
  5. Aydin “iNSaNiA” Sarkohi

Liquid went 3-1 in the group stage alongside mudgolems in order to qualify for the playoffs. To this point, ESL One Germany has been one of Liquid’s best performances in a long while and helps to wash away weak showings in both Omega League and OGA Dota PIT League Season 3.

Of course, the team still needs to make a deep run in ESL One Germany in order to really call this event a success.

Team Liquid vs. mudgolems betting odds, predictions

Sites that are offering action on Liquid vs. mudgolems generally have Liquid as a fairly significant favorite over mudgolems, in the realm of 1.5 vs. 2.5. Betting sites such as Winners.bet are also offering a fair number of side markets that could be of interest.

That line arguably overstates Liquid’s chances of winning. Though Liquid is tried and true, the team has never really been regarded as a bona fide elite. mudgolems has looked strong enough to this point in its short life that Liquid shouldn’t be anything beyond a modest favorite.

Make no mistake, though. Liquid should be the favorite here. The pair faced off in the opening round of the group stage with Liquid winning in 2-0 fashion. 

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