Titan vs. compLexity preview

We've put together a short preview before the upper bracket final at ESEA Invite Season 15 Global Finals, set to match Titan versus compLexity.

Although there's little doubt in anyone's mind that Titan, the former VeryGames squad and a definite top two team in the world, is the better team of the two, this is anyone's game.

Not only have the compLexity members defeated the ex-VeryGames squad more times than not in CS:GO history, but they've also often upped their performance on American soil.

The coL core have represented Area51, Quantic Gaming and compLexity in their previous match-ups, while Titan were always playing for the French VeryGames organization up until now.

Who will come out happier tonight? 

Titan are the clear favorites to win ESEA for the first time in the absense of NiP, but even in the spring of 2013 they were upset by the coL core at ESEA S13's consolidation final.

compLexity secured the number one seed between the two sides who finished first in their respected regions, as they were able to win the aim map contest for top seed on Friday.

Most recently the two met at DreamHack Winter, where a 14-16 upset loss to compLexity sealed VeryGames' fate as it forced them to face NiP in the semi-finals, where they bowed out of competition.

Titan's head-to-head maps against compLexity's core

VeryGames	14-16	compLexity	de_inferno	DreamHack Winter
VeryGames	14-16	Quantic	de_cache	ESEA Invite S13
VeryGames	20-22	Quantic	de_inferno_se	ESEA Invite S13
VeryGames	16-5	Quantic	de_dust2_se	Copenhagen Games
VeryGames	16-11	Area51	de_train_se	ESWC 2012
VeryGames	16-5	Area51	de_nuke_se	ESWC 2012
VeryGames	16-19	Area51	de_dust2_se	ESWC 2012
* winner in bold

As you can see the core of compLexity, which always featured Kory "semphis" Friesen and Spencer "Hiko" Martin, as well as for the most part Sean "sgares" Gares, actually leads VeryGames 4-3 in head-to-head maps.

Not only that, but the American side has always had close games versus the French, having to see overtime twice as well as two more games going all thirty rounds with 16-14 finishes.

It's also interesting to note that Martin's, who ranked ninth in the Top 20 players of 2013 by eSportsventure.com, team has actually won the last three battles they've had.

Obviously VeryGames are a much stronger team versus other squads, and a whopping four of their players ranked in the top 20 for 2013, but head-to-head things may be different.

Above are stats for each team from their first series at ESEA Finals. Jordan "n0thing" Gilbert had a rough series earlier, especially in comparison to DreamHack, and will have to do more if coL wishes to come out on top.

For Titan it seems like everyone is in solid shape, and considering their obvious advantages strategically, they don't necessarily need similar individual plays as coL does.

A key factor for this match-up will be how well Titan are prepared for the series. You would assume compLexity have done their homework, as ESEA is very important to them due to how few events they get to attend.

At the same time, compLexity regretted focusing too much on fnatic's gameplay at DreamHack Winter, and Martin has confirmed to HLTV.org that they haven't prepared any anti-strategies for the game.

n0thing helping coL secure the number one seed

He did however say they feel their playing style changed for the better during the bootcamp in Sweden last November, and he feels they've been able to stick to it despite a break for the holidays.

Nevertheless, Titan remain favorites, but the facts presented above should at least open everyone's eyes to the fact that compLexity are no joke to Kèvin "Ex6TenZ" Droolans & co.

In their opener compLexity looked good until they lost focus when up 9-2 on the second map, so it's reasonable to expect they will be competitive. Titan looked solid as well despite losing on de_season, but it's harder to judge them since we don't know iBUYPOWER's level.

If Titan win this match, there is almost no way for compLexity to win the tournament, as they would have to defeat the Frenchmen in two separate best-of-three series coming from the lower bracket.

ScreaM hopes to win his first ESEA event 

On the other hand, Titan could still make the grand final very competitive, being a more complete team, even if they lose tonight. Whoever wins this game is a favorite to win ESEA tomorrow.

I expect Titan to win 2-0 because they should be better prepared and extremely motivated after their organization swap. Don't be shocked if coL makes it very close, but Nathan "NBK" Schmitt's team should come out on top.

Who do you think will prevail tonight at 03:30 ? Leave you prediction below in a comment and make sure to tune in for the rest of ESEA Invite Season 15 Global Finals.