The NSL-Review on Monday

Hello, friends of competitive NS2!

Currently the NSL (Natural Selection League) runs its 7th Season in NS2 and we are right in the middle of it. So, let's have a look on what is actually happening in the NSL these days.

Division 1

Standings

The former champions of Season 6 (Lucky Chams) lead with a spotless score of 8 points out of 2 matches, closely followed by Do it yourself. These two teams are odds-on favourites for first place. However, both need to watch their flanks: Pell-Mell already robbed one point of Do it yourself. In the end it Pell-Mell's performance might decide who finishes first into the playoffs.

The clash of titans - Chams vs. DIY - got rescheduled as I wrote this. So stay tuned for that one! Lucky Chams vs. Pell-Mell has to wait until week 5. It will be interesting to see if the underdog can strike again and steal points of the former champion as well.

Predictions

I would love to see Division 1 being a tight race between the two favourites. So, in week 4 my bet is a draw in Chams - DIY.

Division 2

Standings

It will be a tough race in the second division. Both American teams - caste, Weld Mannered - and the Russian Handwashers struggle for first place.The strongest performers so far are: Weld Mannered (4-0 win over Handwashers) and Handwashers (3-1 win over caste).

With a Division that tight one can look forward to each single match.

Fortunately we don't have to wait long for the American Derby: Weld vs. caste is a week 3 match, so it should happen the next days.

Predictions

I give Weld Mannered the edge in my prediction and say: 3-1 against caste.

Division 3

Standings

So far we have only seen a single 4-0 in Division 3, and it has been GIEF ROBOT beating FunnyBubblers. Overall each team in Division 3 seems to be able to steal points of any other. In this struggle potaTAW and GIEF ROBOT managed to get a sliver of a lead to the Bubblers and RadicaL. However, I'd say this Division is still very open.

The match between RadicaL and potaTAW will be a very important for both teams: TAW can't afford to leave more points to their opponents (they lost 1 round versus HMS and 2 to the Bubblers). On the other side RadicaL needs to prove, that they have what it takes to keep connection to the top.

Predictions

Both, potaTAW and RadicaL, lost 1 point to HMS. But potaTAW made the better cut against the Bubblers (a draw, while RadicaL lost 1-3). This hints to a potaTAW-win - and of course I want to see that. Hence my bet here is a 4-0 in favour of TAW!

Division 4

Standings

It is the 4th Division, which got most games played so far (as always). With only 3 games missing and we see a fight for the top between 3 teams - similar to the 3rd Division. Flightless Lerks, TAWtoise and Schicht im Schacht broke off and left a large gap to fourth and last place.

TAWtoise faces Lerks on the last week. The good thing for TAWtoise (or should I say "us"?): with a 3-1 win we will definitely be placed on top (12 points, 3 wins - Schacht could only achieve 12 points with 2 wins). However, if we draw or do worse, the best we can achieve is second place - and even for that we would need some fire support of Angry Chickens.

Predictions

So, the question of interest in Division 4 is: can TAWtoise beat the Lerks? As a member of TAWtoise this question is a no-brainer, of course. But the Lerks are undoubtedly strong, so my prediction will be a 3-1. Enough to secure 1st place.

What games are you looking forward to? What are your predictions?