EPT
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/disciple/ABCmsl/articlebanner.jpg)
Thanks to disciple for the banner!
Since we're too busy (read: lazy [just kidding, actually busy]) to get the full MSL post out on time, here are a set of Ro16 previews I've written for you all before the first games start! We'll have the post out soon, I promise!*
The games are played in a split format: the first match of each Bo3 is played separately, and then they finish the series on a different day. The winners of the Ro16 will be reseeded in the Ro8 by KeSPA ranking, so we have yet another (cue groan) chance at FvJ finals!
Match A:
Hydra < Dante's Peak SE > 
Stork
Hydra < Circuit Breaker > Stork
Hydra < La Mancha > Stork
Hydra ZvP:
Last 10: L W W L W W W W L W
Overall: 25-17 (59.52%)
Stork PvZ:
Last 10: W L L L L W W L W L
Overall: 113-88 (56.22%)
Head-to-head: Hydra 1-2 Stork
Hydra < Dante's Peak SE > StorkHydra < Circuit Breaker > StorkHydra < La Mancha > StorkHydra ZvP:
Last 10: L W W L W W W W L W
Overall: 25-17 (59.52%)
Stork PvZ:
Last 10: W L L L L W W L W L
Overall: 113-88 (56.22%)
Head-to-head: Hydra 1-2 Stork
Hydra vs. Stork, the first match of this MSL Ro16. The defending champion takes on the defending OSL runner-up in what should prove to be an exciting series. Though Hydra's beaten Bisu, he hasn't really proven he has what it takes to hang with top Protosses, with losses to Kal, Stork, and Stats this year. But on the flip side, those (plus a loss to Free that he avenged in the ace match) are his only losses to Protoss since this Proleague season began, leading to an impressive 14-4 record. On the other hand, Stork's old weakness against Zerg seems to be resurfacing mainly thanks to Zero, who seems to have his number. But a recent loss to Princess in Proleague has SBG fans worrying--will he have what it takes to defeat neo-EffOrt? Coupled with the Zerg-favored maps, Stork might have a hard time making it into the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Hydra 2-0 Stork
Match B:
Mind < La Mancha > LightMind < Circuit Breaker > LightMind < Dante's Peak SE > LightMind TvT:
Last 10: L W W L L L L L W W
60-53 (53.10%)
Light TvT:
Last 10: L L W W L W W W L W
Overall: 70-61 (53.44%)
Head-to-head: Mind 4-2 Light
These two old veterans meet for the first time in the MSL. Mind has been on a tear recently, but most of his victims have been Protoss, not Terran. Granted, his losses have been to the best of the mirror-match bunch--Flash, Fantasy, HiyA, Really--but when I notice that Light has beaten Baby (once without cheese), FBH, and HiyA recently, I have to give the edge to Light. Light's even taken a game off Flash last December. Both have strong TvT players to practice with--Baby and Really--but after seeing Mind throw away his huge advantage against Flash on Aztec, I'd have to go with Light.
Prediction: Mind 1-2 Light
Match C:
Leta < Dante's Peak SE > Neo.G_Soulkey
Leta < Circuit Breaker > Neo.G_Soulkey
Leta < La Mancha > Neo.G_Soulkey
Leta TvZ:
Last 10: L L W W W L W W W L
Overall: 60-40 (60.00%)
Soulkey ZvT:
Last 10: L L L W W L L W W W
Overall: 19-22 (46.34%)
Head-to-head: Leta 3-1 Soulkey
Leta < Dante's Peak SE > Neo.G_SoulkeyLeta < Circuit Breaker > Neo.G_SoulkeyLeta < La Mancha > Neo.G_SoulkeyLeta TvZ:
Last 10: L L W W W L W W W L
Overall: 60-40 (60.00%)
Soulkey ZvT:
Last 10: L L L W W L L W W W
Overall: 19-22 (46.34%)
Head-to-head: Leta 3-1 Soulkey
This is probably the most intriguing matchup of the Round of 16: Soulkey's jaw-dropping, Queen-flaunting ZvT takes on Leta's solid-as-always TvZ. In fact, Soulkey took revenge for his defeat by Leta in MST with a dominating performance in the Proleague Round 5 opener. One thing we can be sure about: mech play by Leta will by met, and by the looks of it, probably crushed by Soulkey's broodlings and dropped ultralisks which so stylishly took out both the Crown Prince and Leta himself. But Leta is no slouch in TvZ, and perhaps he'll prepare a bionic build instead. Mech could be hard to play against Neo.G_Bonjwa, and though La Mancha is ridiculously T-favored, perhaps he will lead the revolution to counter the dominant late-game mech strategy. Stay tuned, folks, and here's to hoping Soulkey can show us how it's done!
Prediction: Leta 1-2 Soulkey
Match D:
Calm < Circuit Breaker > Hyuk
Calm < Monte Cristo > Hyuk
Calm < La Mancha > Hyuk
Calm ZvZ:
Last 10: L W L W L L W W L L
Overall: 74-60 (55.22%)
Hyuk ZvZ:
Last 10: L L L L L L L L L W
Overall: 23-32 (41.82%)
Head-to-head: Calm 2-1 Hyuk
Calm < Circuit Breaker > HyukCalm < Monte Cristo > HyukCalm < La Mancha > HyukCalm ZvZ:
Last 10: L W L W L L W W L L
Overall: 74-60 (55.22%)
Hyuk ZvZ:
Last 10: L L L L L L L L L W
Overall: 23-32 (41.82%)
Head-to-head: Calm 2-1 Hyuk
Hyuk was once really good at ZvZ. Not so much anymore, despite his win over Great to get into the Ro16. Calm, on the other hand, is not terrible, but since it's ZvZ, and since apparently all the SKT players think Hyuk is really good, expect Hyuk to take a game.
Prediction: Calm 2-1 Hyuk
Match E:
ZerO < Circuit Breaker > hero
ZerO < Monte Cristo > hero
ZerO < Dante's Peak SE > hero
Zero ZvZ:
Last 10: L L W W L L W L W L
Overall: 76-78 (49.35%)
hero ZvZ:
Last 10: L L W W L L W L W W
Overall: 18-18 (50.00%)
Head-to-head: Zero 1-1 hero
ZerO < Circuit Breaker > heroZerO < Monte Cristo > heroZerO < Dante's Peak SE > heroZero ZvZ:
Last 10: L L W W L L W L W L
Overall: 76-78 (49.35%)
hero ZvZ:
Last 10: L L W W L L W L W W
Overall: 18-18 (50.00%)
Head-to-head: Zero 1-1 hero
Though hero defeated Zero with a build-order advantage and better multitask in their last Winners' League meeting, neither of these players are particularly good at the matchup. I hope Zero makes it through, though, since his potential to make a deep run is much better than hero's. This one could go either way; I'll just hope Zero wins two games fast so he doesn't have the opportunity to choke!
Prediction: Zero 2-0 hero
Match F:
Grape < Circuit Breaker > Horang2
Grape < La Mancha > Horang2
Grape < Monte Cristo > Horang2
Grape PvP:
Last 10: L L W W L W L W L W
Overall: 5-6 (45.45%)
Horang2 PvP:
Last 10: W W W L W L L W W W
Overall: 30-13 (69.77%)
Head-to-head: Grape 0-1 Horang2
Grape < Circuit Breaker > Horang2Grape < La Mancha > Horang2Grape < Monte Cristo > Horang2Grape PvP:
Last 10: L L W W L W L W L W
Overall: 5-6 (45.45%)
Horang2 PvP:
Last 10: W W W L W L L W W W
Overall: 30-13 (69.77%)
Head-to-head: Grape 0-1 Horang2
Grape is going to be the next big Protoss--calling it now! Unfortunately, his first series game in a proper individual league will be against PvP extraordinaire Horang2. While the shine has come off Horang2's PvP a bit, it still remains among the strongest in the scene, as exhibited in his come-from-behind win against Grape in Winners' League this year. Horang2 has a deep understanding of the matchup and good micro, so he should be able to take this series.
Prediction: Grape 0-2 Horang2
Match G:
Jaedong < Dante's Peak SE > Reality
Jaedong < Monte Cristo > Reality
Jaedong < Circuit Breaker > Reality
Jaedong ZvT:
Last 10: W L L W W L W W W W
Overall: 156-93 (62.65%)
Reality TvZ:
Last 10: L L L W L L L L L W
Overall: 2-8 (20.00%)
Head-to-head: Jaedong 1-0 Reality
Jaedong < Dante's Peak SE > RealityJaedong < Monte Cristo > RealityJaedong < Circuit Breaker > RealityJaedong ZvT:
Last 10: W L L W W L W W W W
Overall: 156-93 (62.65%)
Reality TvZ:
Last 10: L L L W L L L L L W
Overall: 2-8 (20.00%)
Head-to-head: Jaedong 1-0 Reality
Reality is another Khan player on the rise, but he's even unluckier than Grape--he gets Donged. Seriously, after JD's domination of both Sea and Flash, how can anyone reasonably expect Reality to even take a game? Good luck to the rookie; he'll need it.
Prediction: Jaedong 2-0 Reality
Match H:
Really < Dante's Peak SE > Flash
Really < Circuit Breaker > Flash
Really < La Mancha > Flash
Really TvT:
Last 10: W W W L L W L W W L
Overall: 43-48 (47.25%)
Flash TvT:
Last 10: W W W W W W W W W L
Overall: 142-48 (74.74%)
Head-to-head: Really 2-6 Flash
Really < Dante's Peak SE > FlashReally < Circuit Breaker > FlashReally < La Mancha > FlashReally TvT:
Last 10: W W W L L W L W W L
Overall: 43-48 (47.25%)
Flash TvT:
Last 10: W W W W W W W W W L
Overall: 142-48 (74.74%)
Head-to-head: Really 2-6 Flash
Finally, we have the Ultimate Weapon against
Prediction: Really 1-2 Flash
*Actually I can't promise that; go bother flamewheel.
)
i always enjoy reading this things
