ZennIT vs Once Upon A Team on 14 January
On January 14th, the highly anticipated clash between ZennIT and Once Upon A Team in the Road of Legends: Bo1 tournament promises to be a spectacle. Both teams have earned a reputation in the Esports scene, and this matchup, played in a one-game format, is a do-or-die battle for both sides. With everything on the line, expect explosive action, tactical mastery, and high-stakes drama as these two teams vie for supremacy.
ZennIT: Tactical Approach and Current Form
ZennIT enters this match with a mix of confidence and determination. Over the past five games, they’ve shown remarkable consistency with a 4-1 record, but more importantly, their style has evolved into a well-oiled machine. Their tactical setup revolves around a balanced approach—aggressive early game rotations, disciplined mid-game control, and clinical decision-making in the late game. They are known for maintaining high map awareness, and their ability to contest objectives is second to none in this tournament.
Key statistics reflect their strengths: a 75% objective control rate, high ward placement (averaging 15 wards per game), and an impressive first-blood rate of 65%. Their team play is fluid, with excellent synergy between their jungler and mid-laner. ZennIT thrives on mid-lane priority, dictating the pace of the game and transitioning into decisive teamfights.
Individually, ZennIT’s star player is their jungler, "Zeno". His aggressive yet calculated pathing and precision in securing key objectives have been pivotal to their success. If Zeno manages to control the jungle and disrupt Once Upon A Team's vision, it could tilt the match in ZennIT's favor. However, Zeno’s vulnerability lies in his occasional over-ambitious plays, which can sometimes give away an early lead.
In terms of injury or suspension, ZennIT is currently in full strength, with no significant roster changes. Their mental resilience will be tested, as they have experienced some close calls in recent matches, narrowly avoiding early exits. If they can avoid dropping early kills and maintain their objective dominance, they should have the upper hand.
Once Upon A Team: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Once Upon A Team has been a team of constant evolution throughout the tournament. Their recent form is a bit more erratic with a 3-2 record in the last five matches. Once Upon A Team has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in their fast-paced, teamfight-oriented playstyle. They tend to favor aggressive early game skirmishing, looking to outmaneuver their opponents with fast rotations and high-pressure ganks.
When it comes to key statistics, their early game is what sets them apart. Their first tower percentage sits at an impressive 80%, with a 70% success rate in their early jungle invades. They rely heavily on vision control and aim to suffocate their opponents' map movements through swift rotations and aggressive lane pressure. Once Upon A Team’s Achilles’ heel, however, lies in their late-game decision-making. If the game stretches into the late game, they have struggled to execute cleanly in key teamfights, especially when playing against well-organized teams like ZennIT.
The focal point of Once Upon A Team’s strategy is their mid-laner, "Vex". Vex’s ability to engage with high-impact ultimate abilities and zone out enemy damage dealers is what drives their teamfights. However, Vex can be a bit too reliant on skillshots, and when facing teams with high mobility or strong front-liners, her impact can be reduced significantly. Once Upon A Team’s jungler, "Talon", plays a crucial role in their early skirmishes, but will need to avoid overextending in the jungle to prevent ZennIT from capitalizing on their aggressive tendencies.
Once Upon A Team’s biggest issue heading into this match is their lack of stability in the late game. Their mid-to-late transition is shaky, and when ZennIT takes control, Once Upon A Team has struggled to regain the initiative. Their win conditions will lie in finding early picks and capitalizing on ZennIT's mistakes, rather than allowing the game to stretch too long.
Head-to-Head: History and Psychology
Looking at their previous encounters, ZennIT holds a 3-1 advantage in the last four meetings between the two teams. However, the nature of these games has been diverse. In one, ZennIT dominated in a textbook 20-minute victory, while in another, Once Upon A Team managed to pull off an upset with a back-and-forth late-game teamfight. The key takeaway from these encounters is that Once Upon A Team tends to struggle when ZennIT gets ahead early and establishes control. Their win came when they were able to execute a perfect comeback, capitalizing on small errors in ZennIT’s macro play.
Psychologically, ZennIT's confidence will be high going into this Bo1. They’ve been the more consistent team throughout the tournament and understand the stakes. Once Upon A Team, while not as consistent, has nothing to lose in this match and will play with a chip on their shoulder, attempting to shock their opponents with unpredictable aggression. The pressure is on ZennIT to avoid slipping into overconfidence, as one mistake could hand the advantage to Once Upon A Team.
Key Battles and Critical Zones
The match will be won or lost in the jungle and mid-lane. Zeno vs. Talon will be an intriguing duel, with Zeno’s more controlled, objective-focused pathing countered by Talon’s aggressive skirmishing style. Whoever controls the jungle and gets the first objective (whether it's a Dragon or Rift Herald) will dictate the tempo of the game.
In the mid-lane, Vex’s ability to outplay ZennIT’s mid-laner will be critical. If Vex can establish control early and land crucial ultimates in teamfights, it could be the game-changer Once Upon A Team needs. ZennIT’s mid-laner, however, will likely focus on neutralizing Vex's impact with safe play, ensuring that their team doesn't get caught off-guard in the mid-game.
Finally, vision control will be a deciding factor. Both teams excel when they can dictate the flow of the game through vision, and the side that executes better vision control and map pressure will have the upper hand. Expect intense jungle skirmishes, especially around objectives, and it will be key for both teams to secure deep vision in their opponent's jungle to outmaneuver them in key rotations.
Match Scenario and Prediction
The most likely scenario for this match will be an early-game skirmish fest, with both teams vying for control of the jungle and objectives. ZennIT’s well-rounded approach will give them an edge in the mid-to-late game, where their decision-making and teamfights will prove superior. Once Upon A Team will look to disrupt ZennIT’s flow, playing aggressively to force errors, but it’s hard to see them outlasting ZennIT in a straight-up teamfight if the game goes long.
In terms of a prediction, ZennIT are the favorites, but Once Upon A Team’s unpredictability could make this a closer match than anticipated. I expect ZennIT to win, but with a narrow margin, possibly edging out a 2-1 kill score advantage or a close teamfight victory.
Final Thoughts
This match will be a battle of control vs. chaos. ZennIT’s calculated, disciplined approach will face off against Once Upon A Team’s explosive, aggressive style. The question that will determine the outcome is simple: Will Once Upon A Team's early aggression disrupt ZennIT’s control, or will ZennIT’s superior macro play guide them to victory?
