[Shinhan PL] ACE vs SPARKYZ (26.4.)

This week, something strange happened. ACE was playing against the leader of the proleague, MBC which had been on a 9-1 tear in submatches with 3 straight victories. Then ACE - crushed them 3-0 under their military boot heels, which was rumoured to be quite painful. Worse, MBC did not even send a sub-par lineup but Light lost against Boxer and Sea against Daezang.

OGN has underperformed so far. Sure, losing against Lecaf is possible, but if Jaedong and Anytime are not there, the 4th placed from last season should have a better shot than going down 3-1. Against Hanbit they should have been favourites, but went down 0-3. They have a lot to make up for. However, now that ACE has licked blood, they might be out for more - and they have the same matchups to play as against MBC!

Daezang vs. Shine
Daezang surely wants to continue where he left off against Sea. Of all the ace players, he is probably the one who is closest to making another appearance in individual league, so Shine should be on the lookout. Shine is everyone's "you eliminated my favourite player"-guy, so nobody likes him anyway.

Daezang > Shine

Boxer vs. Leta
Boxer might have lost many of his skills while in the army (TvZ), or some skills he never had, so he cannot show them now (TvP). His TvT has been stellar however (8-2 last ten games) and it seems this is the matchup in which he can force his opponent to play on the level of his micro-centered playstyle, and there Boxer is still superior. In short:

Boxer > Leta

ACE vs. OGN
Flower and Justin were nigh unbeatable last season. This season, their touch appears to be not as good, Justin passed on the first 2on2 of the season and the last week they lost. However, Rage and Clon only won last week against MBC (on the map of the month). Signs are rather pointing towards Flower and Justin resurging.

ACE < OGN

OverSky vs. Luxury
Oversky has been "ok" in his proleague matches so far, securing some popularity with his offensive hatch against Freedom last year. Luxury has faltered a little bit after his failed OSL royal road. Still Luxury is said to have one of the best ZvZ in progaming, and this should be enough to beat an armified Oversky.

Oversky < Luxury

I like predicting Acematches to happen. ACE should send Daezang or Boxer, both appear to be solid at the time being. OGN has more choices, but maybe sending a protoss would be good, as the map is Katrina and a Protoss alone vastly improves their odds against the Emperor.

Daezang > Shine
Boxer < Leta
ACE < OGN
Oversky < Luxury

ACE 1 - 3 OGN