It has been a long run, but we are now at the final week of the regular season. Teams are sitting fighting for Stage Playoffs and overall Season Playoffs as well. Stage 4 has brought a major change to the meta, which has resulted in and flip of the script of sorts. New York is still lurking at the top of the Stage standings and will most likely be a contender for the Stage championships, going for the 3-peat. But along with them are both of the Los Angeles teams sitting as the 1st and 2nd seed this Stage. And the surprising 4th seed currently goes to Dallas, sitting at 5-3 and leading on map differential. Dallas lost to Houston last week, opening the doors on the 4th seed. Dallas bounced back sweeping Florida 4-0 and Houston dropped the ball by getting swept 4-0 by the Stage undefeated Los Angeles Valiant. Philadelphia jumped back into contention by going 2-0 and narrowly beating both San Francisco and Seoul. Week 5 doesn't bring an easy schedule for any of these teams. Dallas face off against arch rivals Seoul on Wednesday, and then Houston and Philadelphia face off meaning at least one team will be 6-3 after Thursday. Houston then face New York and Dallas face the Valiant on Friday with Philadelphia rounding it out against London. I am a bias Dallas Fuel fan so I want to believe they can hold on to the 4th seed.
In the overall Season Standings, the Top 6 teams have almost been confirmed with New York as the 1st seed and Los Angeles Valiant as the 2nd seed. Boston, London, Los Angeles Gladiators, and Philadelphia round out the Top 6 but are stilling fighting for seeding. The 3rd and 6th seed are highly sought after as it would put you on the other side of the playoff bracket opposite of New York. Avoiding them is the ideal situation to make it to the Season Finals and secure at least 2nd place with a chance to upset the Goliath New York.
Last Week: 8-4
Total: 155-73
The Los Angeles Valiant will keep their 1st seed in Stage 4 and pick the Dallas Fuel as their opponents; advancing convincingly. The Los Angeles Gladiators will then have to face the New York Excelsior, who they beat earlier this Stage, but this time New York will flex their muscles can beat them, not letting it go to a 5th map. In the Stage Finals, the Valiant will feel confident, but New York will once again show the entire league that they are not to be messed with and finish off the season with a 3-peat of Stage Championships.
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