It’s make or break time for most of the teams as there are some intriguing matches in Week 3 of Stage 4 of the Overwatch League.
Outlaws in trouble
The Houston Outlaws will be aiming to get back on track in Week 3, after losing both games in Week 2 to the Los Angeles Gladiators and the San Francisco Shock.
After Week 1 Houston appeared to be one of the best teams in the league, but it all went wrong in Week 2 as they failed to counter their opponents properly.
This Stage in particular has seen a drastic shift in the way maps play out and it is now more about countering your opponent than just playing the best heroes regardless of who you are up against.
It is unclear how quickly Houston will be able to adapt and adjust but they have a relatively easy schedule so there are hopes they will be able to bounce back.
The Outlaws play the two weakest teams, the Shanghai Dragons and the Florida Mayhem, next.
This is the first week that Houston will be able to call on the services of DPS player ArHaN, as it was recently announced that he has received a working visa and can play immediately.
Seoul need momentum
The Seoul Dynasty, who have been much better recently following a change to their roster, are also scheduled to play the Shanghai Dragons and the Florida Mayhem this week.
Ryujehong is back to playing Support after a brief stint in the Main Tank role, with Seoul immediately looking much better, even though they have lost their last two games.
Seoul need a strong week if they are to have any chance of making an impact in the playoff race. The key for Seoul, as always, is the play of star DPS player Fleta, who will be looking to find his confidence after a fairly unspectacular opening to Stage 4.
Fusion face a tough week
The teams with the most difficult schedule this week are the Philadelphia Fusion and the Los Angeles Valiant as they are set to play against the New York Excelsior and the Los Angeles Gladiators.
Philadelphia recently beat Shanghai but disappointingly lost to Dallas.
Dallas have continued to improve in Stage 4, but Philadelphia would have expected to get the better of them as the Fusion appeared to be a Top 3 team after the end of Week 1.
This is a brutal test for the Fusion as they look to reassert themselves but they are one of the few teams that have ever beaten New York, which should give them hope this weekend.
The Fusion were one of the teams most resistant to shifting their team composition in the opening weeks, routinely selecting a singular composition and sticking to it. Whether or not this is the week to attempt a complete overhaul of their team philosophy is up for debate.
Valiant will be tested
The Valiant are one of the most difficult teams to decipher in the Overwatch League, given their continued success with a bland roster.
They have been one of the most consistent teams in the regular season, winning their first four matches, although they have all been against weak sides.
The Valiant have solid players and a good chemistry but they lack the star power that the other top teams possess. They also do not have a single player that can lead them to victory in a map.
This week presents a unique opportunity for the Valiant as, if they can win either match, it will silence the doubters who do not think they belong in the Top 3.
The player to watch for the Valiant is Flex Tank player Space, who has the ability to shift between Zarya and D.Va depending on the situation.
Conclusion
The New York Excelsior and the Los Angeles Valiant lead the Atlantic and Pacific Divisions respectively but, with only six teams able to make the Championship Playoffs, a strong finish over the next three weeks is required as eight sides battle it out for the postseason places.
