Team Spirit vs Akuma: Who will benefit from bo1?

The upcoming RMR tournament will be noticeably different from the previous ones. First, the group stage matches will be held in the bo1 format, which may make for some serious turmoil in the final allocation of places. Secondly, the number of prize places does not match the number of invitations in the tournament, which we also see for the first time. This format may not please many teams, especially the tournament favorites, but one thing is sure, this format will provide many colorful matches and unexpected denouements. Our task is to enjoy the spectacle.

On September 29, Team Spirit and Akuma will play their match in the IEM Fall 2021 CIS group stage. Whether Akuma will surprise their more experienced opponent or fail again in the regional tournament, we will find out very soon.

Team Spirit have not been shining with results of late. The team took part in Malta Vibes Knockout Series 2, taking only 9-12 places. Considering that the Spirit were the strongest team according to HLTV ranking in the tournament, the result is awful. Of course, someone could say that the guys were saving their strength for the RMR tournament, but almost all rivals in the Malta Vibes Knockout Series 2 Team Spirit had to beat them in class, which didn’t happen, suggesting that now the team is not in top form and the matches are given to the team quite difficult. And in the CIS standings, it obviously won’t be any easier, especially when it’s in bo1 format.

As for maps, if Akuma aren’t crazy, we have to expect Mirage. That’s one of the worst maps of both teams, which for the bo1 format will suit both sides. I doubt that Akuma will want to leave Dust2 (their opponent’s best map) or Overpass, on which the Spirit beat NAVI, Faze Clan, Virtus.pro not so long ago. Neither should Team Spirit leave Inferno and Vertigo behind. Mirage, no matter how you look at it, looks like the best option for bo1. Although we should not forget that Team Spirit are notorious for their controversial picks, especially in bo1 matches. Just remember how they’ve been playing their Dust2 in matches against forZe and have already lost five or six face-offs in a row while still kicking Dust2 for some reason. Or how they managed to get to their worst map at IEM Cologne 2021 in a bo1 match. Don’t write that one-off either.

If you recall Akuma’s previous performances at RMR tournaments, the team failed to make the playoffs at the last tournament after so much scandalous success. It cannot be said that the boys failed at that RMR tournament, but they failed to repeat their success. After that, the team played in Tournaments 2 and 3 and did not feature a great game. The last championship for the team was the UESF Parimatch Championship of Ukraine 2021, where they managed to take the first place, but the level of the rivals there was so low that it is not worth giving more importance to this result.

As I wrote above, if you look at the maps, I doubt that the teams will retain Nuke, Inferno, Ancient, and Vertigo. Mirage, Overpass, and Dust2 look the most likely options, but it will all depend on who the last pick will be. If it’s Akuma, then Mirage is assured, and if it’s Team Spirit, they may lean towards Overpass or Dust2, but naturally, Akuma will try to avoid it. Of course, Team Spirit look like the favourites for the encounter, but the bookies leave Akuma with too little chance of success, which is worth taking advantage of. I don’t think that even if, by some miracle, the Spirit will make it to Dust2. Akuma can take on Team Spirit for ten rounds on almost any map. Especially because with all more or less serious opponents, the Spirits have big problems and allow them to take 12-14 rounds per map. Even in their last match against Storm Wolves, who have no HLTV rating, the Spirits allowed them to take as many as 14 rounds on Mirage.

Team Spirit look like the favourites for the match, but in my opinion, the likelihood of a thrashing here is minimal. The Spirit look weak at the moment and should win only through class, but it won’t allow them to crush their opponent, especially if the teams end up finishing with Mirage.

The bookmakers are offering odds of 1.59 on Akuma’s victory with a handicap (+6.5), which looks like a good option.