forZe vs. SMASH 6/6 Preview & Prediction - Free CS:GO Betting Picks
Odds via Bovada
Moneyline: forZe (-215)/SMASH (+160)
Match Spread: forZe -1.5 (+150)/SMASH +1.5 (-200)
Match Total: 2.5 (+100/-140u)
We have an inticing opening round match from the #HomeSweetHome: Week 7 playoffs upcoming between forZe and SMASH. The playoffs stage of the #HomeSweetHome: Week 7 features the top two teams from each group in the group stage competing in a single-elimination bracket. The winner of this bracket will wil $30,000 USD while the runner-ups will bank $10,000 USD.
forZe Preview
HLTV World Ranking: 25th
The Russian wrecking-machine of forZe is a very tough team. They opened the group stage with a great showing against Copenhagen Flames in a 16-3 domination. They stumbled in the winners' match, falling to OG 0-2 before rebounding with a 2-1 win in a rematch with Copenhagen Flames in the decider match to make the playoffs. Inferno, Mirage and Nuke are all specialties between forZe as they hold win rates of over 60% on all three of these over the last three months.
The statistical team leaders of forZe have been FL1T and xsepower over the last three months. During this time period, the duo averaged 1.46 kills with only 1.19 deaths per round. An interesting thing to note about forZe is the fact that any of ther five players could step in and lead the team if need be and no one tends to hold the team back. Whether it's Jerry, facecrack, almazer or their two statistical leaders, someone on forZe tends to step up and will the team to victory which is a great quality in a team.
SMASH Preview
HLTV World Ranking: 45th
SMASH enters as the lower ranked team, but that's not to take away from them. They have known to be a tough outing for any opponent because they don't give up. Mirage has been SMASH's best map the last three months with a win rate of 68.8%. They've also been good on the map Train with a 60% win rate. Outside of these maps, however it gets tough as SMASH has no other maps with a win rate over 50% during the last three months of action.
Something that really, really scares me about backing SMASH in this contest is the fact that none of the five players on their roster are currently holding a kill to death ratio of very much higher than one although most are right around the even mark. It's hard to name a statistical leader in these cases as they prefer to use a team effort. However, bubble will have to step things up in a big way. He has averages a poor 0.57 kills per round while dying 0.7 times per round also. SMASH will need a team effort as well as an outstanding singular effort from someone if they plan on becoming victorious in this contest.
Pick: forZe Spread -1.5 (+150 @ Bovada)(2 units)
I just don't see any way that this contest will play out well for SMASH. The Russian squad of forZe is the much better team by far in this contest. They may have hitten a little stump in the group stage, but that was against an extremely tough team in OG. SMASH hasn't had any players separate themselves from the rest of the team, and that's a scary thing. FL1T and xsepower are the best two players on forZe's roster, but the other three are not very far behind them. I'm playing two units with forZe on the spread as I don't expect SMASH to be any trouble to them.
