EPTUp first is
Zenio vs. Free on Arkanoid - Not much free-dom to be found Arkanoid
Zenio
Not exactly much is known about his ZvP at this point. He attended IEM singapore and beat tarrantius in group play and 3-0 HasuObs. Other than that we dont have any recent results from him vs. protoss. And this was two foreign protoss's from Germany. He is 1-1 for EGTL.
Free
Has a win against crazy-hydra. On Ohana however, P is still quite favored and plays very differently from Arkanoid. He is 0-1 for his team. He was the one who lost vs Rain in the lategame PvP. No surprise there.
The map: a total zero ZvP's has been played on I can't say much for balance on the map. I expect air play from both races. It will be difficult to defend a fast third with blink stalkers vs. mutas and without mutas zerg cant really mess with the protoss third. Could just come down to a boring broodlord/infestor vs mothership.
This is fricking hard to call taking into account of how little we actually know of free or zenio. Ontop of that the map arkanoid is an unknown puzzle in ZvP.
Conclusion: Zenio takes it cause how hard it will be for protoss to pressure in the early game.
Round 2 ! Soulkey needs to show some Soul in ZvP
Soulkey vs. JYP
Soulkey
Rough matchup for Soulkey. This map is tough for zergs and JYP is excellent in this matchup.
JYP
Took a win over Effort in first win for EGTL last week. His last GSL matches was vs Bbongprime and Hyun both which are Code S zergs. No shame in losing those matches but Soulkey could well be a better player than both of them. Just not in ZvP.
The map: Annoying rocks at the third works against the zerg, but mutalisk play on this map is strong as well. Huge open area in the middle makes it easier to sneak around a deathball with lings. Probably wont see an immortal sentry allin here which is probably JYP best bet vs a better player in SoulKey.
Conclusion: JYP prepares a well executed allin and kills a frustrated Soulkey.
Round 3 !
Jaedong vs ZerO on Cloud Kingdom - From Hero to Zero
Jaedong
Jaedong will probably relish this opportunity to prove his superior JvZ over Zero. Its not a bad map for muta play. Having taken a series win over Losira is a good way of gauging his strength.
Zero
One of the premier players in SPL and on my goddamn anti team. -8 FFFFFUUUU!!!!
Has a recent victory over Crazy-Victory.
The map: Decent map for muta play but bases are so close that roach counterattacks come easy and damage will usually always be inflicted if the muta count aint high enough.
Conclusion: Hard to say which player has the upper hand in ZvZ. Both players are good, but I think the tyrant will prevail having taken a recent victory over the GSTL monster that is Losira.
Round 4 - !
Taeja vs Sin on Planet S -
Taeja
Taeja is a Code S zerg through and through. Still he isnt a Kespa terran in terms of planning a series. I feel like he's a really strong mechanical terran, but could be sniped by a good allin. Especially if EGTL puts him out as the ace too often.
Sin
Has wins over Fantasy and Mind both of which are very strong players in their own.
The map: Looks slightly like Cloud Kingdom but also has the looks of the early versions of lost temple. Narrow entrance, ramps that can be dropped upon with siege tanks could prove a pain for either player. Be aware and scout diligently or suffer the consequences.
Conclusion: I dont near enough about TvT to say if either player has an advantage. The insane start of the year that followed Taeja has not really followed him lately and Sin is another good Kespa terran.
I lean towards Taeja cause I am biased, but either way is likely and perhaps Sin has the better practice partners in his house.
Round 5
Hero vs Flying on Ohana - Its usually over in a blink
Hero
Hero is still one of the best PvP'er.
Flying
Unknown Quanity at this point. He could be a beastly PvP'er or be clueless in the matchup.
The map: A blink build is an opportunity, but I think a 1 base play is the safer option here.
Conclusion: I dont know crap about PvP. I just know that Hero usually demolishes for his team. I am betting on hero here.
Round 6
Puma vs sOs on Caldeum - sOs We got a puma on the plane.
Puma
TvP specialist. Destroyed a load of the upstart protoss's in sage, tassadar, puzzle. Strong.
sOs
Lost 1-2 in Code A to MVP. Dropped from Code S from losses to MKP. Not a huge tell. From what I remember he didnt look bad.
The map: Another new map that is difficult to comphrend. Niether of the teams wanted to play zergs on it due to the small chokes which is vulnerable to both forcefields and siege tanks.
Conclusion: While I hope for puma to take I dont know enough about it to rule out Shy/sOs.
Ace Match on Antiga Shipyard - X vs. X: If it comes to this I expect both teams to play zergs. Soulkey/Zero vs. Jaedong. Perhaps Taeja will come out on the map and Woongjin Stars will be too scared of a Taeja on the shipyard to throw out a zerg and play either shy or more likely Sin.
