The International 2016: Main Event - Day 1 predictions

Liquid vs Na`vi (1-0 Na`vi)

I’ve chosen Na`vi for one simple reason: Na`vi is bold and best of 1’s favor the bold. Anything can happen with players of this caliber but unfortunately, when you make a prediction like this you have to trust your gut, and my gut says Na`vi will come out swinging. My gut says that Liquid won’t be ready for it. I don’t know what either team is going to draft, possibly Huskar if it’s not banned but that’s very unlikely, but I do know that Na`vi will try to go aggressive with it. I’m expecting Mirana, Chen, and Wisp bans against Na`vi as well leaving them still with signature heroes like Batrider and Invoker and Drow.

I’m anticipating the possible resurgence of Matumbaman’s staple hero, Lycan. I called for it earlier in the tournament and Newbee beat it once and they put it back in recycling. Interestingly enough when Liquid lost to EHome, Ehome was banning the Lycan which leads me to believe that they may have tested it in scrims. This was a hero I felt they put back on the shelf after winning series after series with it at Manila, in order to gain experience on other compositions. I’d be very surprised if Liquid went through the International only picking Lycan once.