The start of the inaugural season of the Call of Duty League (CDL) is just around the corner. Call of Duty esports has undergone radical change ahead of the start of the Modern Warfare season.
The new city-based franchised league will feature 12 all-new teams compete across the globe for over $6 million in prize money and the chance to be crowned the first Call of Duty League champion.
In this article, we will attempt to predict the outcome for the launch weekend event of the season, taking place at the Minneapolis Armory from January 24th-26th.
Predictions
Day 1
Chicago Huntsmen v Dallas Empire – Dallas Empire
Opening the season is perhaps the most anticipated match of the CDL. The Chicago Huntsmen and the Dallas Empire have both been doing well in online practice and tournaments respectively so this particular match is going to be an extremely close contest.
Prediction
I think the Dallas Empire will secure the win in what will be a great game.
Seattle Surge v Florida Mutineers – Florida Mutineers
Despite having the likes of three-time world champion Damon “Karma” Barlow on the Seattle Surge, their online practice hasn’t been going well if streams from the team are anything to go by.
This is a real chance for the Florida Mutineers to take a big scalp in their first match of the season.
Prediction
I think that the Mutineers have the opportunity to start the season on the front foot.
LA Guerillas v Minnesota RØKKR - Minnesota RØKKR
Kicking off the season will be the order of the day for the Minnesota RØKKR.
A win on home turf to begin the CDL is certainly a possibility against an LA Guerillas team that isn’t expected to compete with the stronger teams in the league.
Of course, anything can happen in Call of Duty esports and often does so this match does have the potential to spring a surprise.
Prediction
I still think that the RØKKR will walk away with the victory.
Day 2
New York Subliners v London Royal Ravens – New York Subliners
This match is going to be the battle of the Assault Rifle (AR) players on both teams.
Lamar “Accuracy” Abedi and Trei “Zer0” Morris are going to be a formidable partnership for the New York Subliners while Rhys “Rated” Price and Bradley “Wuskin” Marshall will be looking to protect the realm and score the first win of the season for the London Royal Ravens.
Prediction
This is certainly one of the harder games to call but I see the Subliners taking home the W.
Toronto Ultra v Seattle Surge – Seattle Surge
Another interesting match for the Seattle Surge.
There is certainly a chance for them to take down the Toronto Ultra, but the Canadian franchise will be focused on turning the tide.
Prediction
This match has all the makings of a five-game thriller and I think it will come down to the experience that the Surge possesses which will inevitably give them a victory.
LA Guerillas v Florida Mutineers – Florida Mutineers
I would love to think that the LA Guerillas have a chance against a criminally underrated Florida Mutineers side but I can only see one outcome from this match.
Prediction
The Mutineers have the chance to do some real damage this season and I think they will end the opening weekend of the season in the top half of the table.
OpTic Gaming Los Angeles v Paris Legion – OpTic Gaming Los Angeles
The OpTic Gaming LA team is one of the strongest rosters in the league this season.
They may not have same levels of support as they previously did, but it’s hard not to rule them out of championship contention this season.
As for the Paris Legion, the starting line-up is still unconfirmed so depending on which players are selected, they could either spring a massive surprise or get swept aside with ease.
Prediction
I'm going with a sweep for OpTic on this one.
Atlanta FaZe v Dallas Empire – Atlanta FaZe
Like the clash between Dallas and Chicago, the battle between the Dallas Empire and the Atlanta FaZe is likely to be equally as close.
As a real battle between the explosive young stars that have broken through in the last two years against the storied veterans of the scene, this match is going to be very hard to predict.
Prediction
There is a chance for Atlanta to give Dallas a real run for their money and I think that they will be able to pull it off.
Day 3
Paris Legion v London Royal Ravens – London Royal Ravens
The first battle of Europe takes place in Minnesota and is likely to be a much closer match than many people are anticipating.
Could the Australian trio of the Paris Legion cause problems for the London Royal Ravens or will the Marshall brothers stand tall and secure a win?
Prediction
I think this series will last four games with the Royal Ravens taking a convincing 3-1 win.
Chicago Huntsmen v OpTic Gaming Los Angeles – Chicago Huntsmen
This match is so close to call. The Chicago Huntsmen have the return of T2P, while OpTic Gaming LA feature the likes of Thomas “TJHaly” Haly and Brandon “Dashy” Otell; two standout players from the Black Ops 4 season.
Prediction
With all the makings of a match that will go the distance, I think that the Huntsmen will take the win.
New York Subliners v Atlanta FaZe – Atlanta FaZe
I think that the New York Subliners will put up a strong fight against the Atlanta FaZe, but the Red Militia and its ruthless speed and aggression from its young team will prove too much against the more passive players on the Subliners.
Prediction
Atlanta to take this series 3-1.
Toronto Ultra v Minnesota RØKKR - Minnesota RØKKR
The final game of the tournament will see the tournament hosts take on the Toronto Ultra in a match that could have significant ramifications on the league table.
Minnesota RØKKR will be wanting to end its first home event of the season on a high note while Toronto will be wanting to stay in the top half of the table.
Prediction
I reckon that Toronto will spring the surprise against the RØKKR.
Table Predictions
After the opening weekend, I'm predicting that the CDL table will look something like this.
PAGE 2: CDL 2020 LAUNCH WEEKEND INFORMATION
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Written byJon Nicholson@MrJonno_95
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