Dota 2 CN Picks, Predictions, Odds, April 23-24

• The action from the Dota 2 DPC in China resumes this weekend
• PSG LGD will fancy their chances again to continue to outperform
• Team Magma should be looking to dominate against LBZS

Team Magma

LBZS vs Team Magma Prediction

Just the one league picture remains as the DPC China 2021-22 Tour 2: Division 1 veers towards a conclusion. The top four teams will make it through to the Stockholm tournament in 2022. The top six remain in the current division for the next tour, while the bottom two are relegated to Division-2 for the next tour.

But the teams competing in the first game on Saturday won’t have much to worry about, for it’s a clash between two bottom-placed sides. LBZS and Team Magna have both lost six games, and only one of them can end with a victory. As things stand, both sides are sure to be relegated to Division-2. There isn’t much to gain from that perspective. All they can hope for is to finish on a winning note.

Team Magna – The Bare Numbers

Team Magma have an underwhelming record, but they are still heaps ahead of LBZS. They have a win percentage of 41.86. The area that has hurt them the most: a higher number of deaths than kills on an average per map. This is a massive grey area that has the potential to turn decisive.

They average 20.4 kills, while they average 24.16 deaths. The assist rate of 46.47 is fairly competent, but the result of such a high death percentage means they aren’t quite able to build on the assists.

Also, overall, they take about 34.17 minutes to complete a map. This number changes to 36.15 minutes in victories, and drops to 32.52 minutes in defeat. This means when they lose control of a map, things have the potential to go downhill pretty fast.

The larger the variation in map times between victory and defeat, the larger the issues that could get amplified. A smaller difference points to the team’s ability to hold sway and try to remain in the contest.

LBZS – Consistent But Need Extra Push

The one thing about LBZS is they are a constant at the DPC, and have been yo-yoing between Division 1 or 2. Over time, they have been consistent without being spectacular.

While they can be an intimidating team at their level, their abilities are often judged on how they hold sway among the top teams. It’s here that they have often been found wanting. It’s here that I will want to make a mark. Can they end on a high?

EHOME vs Vici Gaming Pick

Vici Gaming

EHOME vs Vici Gaming Predictions

EHOME are currently in fifth spot with a 3-3 record. A win and a bit of luck could mean they finish with a top four berth. Like EHOME, Vici Gaming are also in that mid-table jostle outside the top four. Only one of these two can likely finish within that bracket.

As things stand, at least they aren’t in the relegation zone. These are the only two Chinese teas that can add plenty of intrigue to the bracket. Make no mistake, both are title contenders. This contest could decide who competes at the major and who crashes and burns.

As things stand, a number of different betting platforms have different odds. Some peg EHOME as favourites, others VICI by a small margin. What we can say, though, with certainty is you ain’t going to go wrong by placing a bet on either It’s that close.

EHOME – Punching Above Their Weight

EHOME’s roster is one full of potential. You’re unlikely to spot recognisable names, but what they have done admirably well is they have made the most of the situation. So much that they were the underdogs everyone was rooting for at the DPC CN Regional Finals.

But playing against the bigger and more established teams at the DPC – the likes of Xtreme Gaming, PSD.LDG – is a different cup of tea altogether. To be fair, they have racked up the experience. It’s a matter of trying to fight without any inhibitions and see how their plans materialise.

VICI – In-Form, In Sync

VICI Gaming are coming off an epic contest against Team Aster. Among the two best teams in China over the past couple of years, both pairs went gung-ho aggressive in an intense team battle.

Yes, both sides have had flaws and haven’t always performed the way they would’ve liked, but it finally appears as if they’re now ready to revert to the style that has brought them most success.

Royal Never Give Up vs Xtreme Gaming Pick

Xtreme Gaming

Royal Never Give Up vs Xtreme Gaming Predictions

Currently second, RNG can’t move further up, but have shown enough steel in the league phase to serve as a reminder of their prowess. With a 4-2 record so far, they square off against an equally destructive and quality side in Xtreme Gaming, who also have a similar record. So on paper, this is a clash of equals. It’s a clash between two exhilarating sides.

Nineteen wins out of 32. A win percentage of 59.38. A kill: death ratio of little more than 1 combined with 54.75 assists – the numbers are all formidable for RNG, but stats alone don’t mean anything. Can they translate that to success on the field? Essentially this is a game where the winner is guaranteed a spot in the major.

RNG will be smarting from their loss to Team Aster. It wasn’t just a loss but a deflating one at that, their second in the championship. Xtreme Gaming are also coming off a loss to PSG LDG in their previous game. Now it’s down to a must-win battle for both sides and with the major at stake, it assumes even more significance.

Remember, these games are held online and not physically for the moment, until the league phase finishes. At stake apart from plenty of DPC points and slots at the major are USD 205,000.

PSG LGD vs Team Aster Pick

PSG LGD

PSG LGD vs Team Aster Prediction

Toppers PSG LGD have cruised their way through the league stages with a spotless, all-win 6-0 record. Team Aster have overcome a slump, given a reality check in a couple of games, but aren’t just yet in any danger of missing out. Joint-second, a win will lift them into the top two. It’s a contest of flair v flamboyance. Who will remain standing at the end?

Aster has plenty of experienced players including Monet and Ori – both familiar faces to those who have followed the Dota-2 scene in China. Aster has been prolific in the past DPC tours. They aren’t a team that generally mill around in the mid-table hoping for opportunities. Where they see a chance, they generally grab it. Things appear no different this time around.

Domination By The Undisputed Kings

PSG LGD remain the undisputed kings of the dota-2 scene in China. They emerged as winners of the 2022 Dota Pro Circuit Winter tour  regional final after overcoming RNG in a one-sided clash that went their way (3-1).

PSG LGD are among few organisations to keep their entire roster intact from the previous season. The core remains the same and is the same one that made an impressive run at the Aegis of Champions.

It was an inspired run too. They went on a 7-0 run during the regional league stage, claimed the top seed for the regional final where they staved off a serious challenge from EHOME before prevailing in the end. They beat a reinvigorated RNG, led by Somnus, Chalice and xNova, in two straight games in the upper bracket final before beating them in the grand finale.

Shades of that dominating run have been omnipresent this time around too. Will things pan out any different?

How to Watch  Dota 2 CN Division