Paris Home Series Preview

The events are coming thick and fast as the Call of Duty League continues on at the Paris Home Series taking place from June 19-21st. The tenth event of the inaugural season of the CDL will see another eight teams in action, battling it out for the lion’s share of $100,000 in prize money and those all-important CDL Points as the season begins to head towards its conclusion at the playoffs.

Unlike the Minnesota Home Series, all five of the top teams won’t be in attendance but the Atlanta FaZe and Minnesota Home Series winners Florida Mutineers will both be competing alongside six other teams that have all undergone some form of a resurgence in recent weeks.

In our latest Home Series preview, we take a look at some of the storylines to keep an eye on heading into the weekend, attempt to predict the winners of the opening round of matches and take a look at which team has the best opportunity to win the championship on CDL Sunday.

You can find everything you need to know about the Paris Home Series here, including who's playing, the schedule and how to watch.

Time to Fear Florida

The Florida Mutineers joined the exclusive club of teams that have won two events this season after defeating Atlanta in the finals of the Minnesota event. Minnesota marked the debut of Joseph “Owakening” Conley, an amateur player that burst onto the scene towards the end of the Black Ops 4 season. Now on the Mutineers, his impact was felt instantly, bolstering the Florida frontline alongside Maurice “Fero” Henriquez, another player that has recently come into his own, slaying the opposition with ease.

With two wins under their belts, now is the time not to consider Florida as the best of the mid-table. The Mutineers are now a team that can now content with the very best and have proven that they can beat the likes of Atlanta in tournament play. The Mutineers have a real chance to make a last-ditch effort to reach the top of the table before the seeds are locked in for the season-ending playoffs.

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Atlanta Out for Revenge

Having almost been stunned by the Los Angeles Guerrillas last time out and eventually falling to Florida in the finals, the Atlanta FaZe are heading into the Paris Home Series with a point to prove and with the Chicago Huntsmen not in attendance, the FaZe has a huge opportunity to score some big points against their rivals at the top of the table.

While other teams have seemingly found some form, Atlanta has maintained its consistency throughout the majority of the season but the Minnesota Home Series showed that the once almighty juggernaut can be defeated. Despite the second place, Atlanta still sit at the top of the table but as the teams below begin to find their feet, the battle to hold onto the top spot is well and truly on.

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Are Dallas the Best Team in the CDL?

Based on recent performances, the Dallas Empire seems to be the team that has adapted best to the recent additions to the coveted Gentlemen’s Agreement in the CDL. Now armed without automatic tactical sprint, Anthony “Shotzzy” Cuevas-Castro has ascended into Call of Duty’s elite echelons, demonstrating some unmatched movement mechanics that only few can seem to be able to replicate.

The Empire hasn’t placed outside of the top four since the Home Series format was implemented, displaying high levels of consistency even when the top teams are in attendance. Like Atlanta, Dallas will be looking to capitalise on the absence of Chicago for another large points haul to consolidate their position in the top half of the standings. A win here could easily put the Empire in the conversation as the best team in the CDL.

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First Round Predictions

Florida Mutineers 3-1 Paris Legion

Heading into the Paris Home Series as defending champions, the opportunity for Florida to become the first team to win three events this season has never been greater. On the other hand, tournament hosts Paris Legion has failed to find that level of performance that gave the team such a promising start at the beginning of the season and a win against the Mutineers could be the catalyst for a return to form. Despite Paris and its bid to get back on winning terms, Florida will walk away with the win but not without a fight from the Legion.

Dallas Empire 3-2 London Royal Ravens

Like the Mutineers, the Empire is also on the hunt for a third title while the Royal Ravens sets its sights on its first after coming so close at the Seattle Home Series a few weeks ago. Armed with more practice with Trei “Zer0” Morris in the starting lineup, this series could go all the way to a game five and I think it will, with Dallas emerging as the victors in what could be the match of the day.

OpTic Gaming Los Angeles 3-2 New York Subliners

Both of these teams have undergone resurgences in recent weeks and with the likes of Austin “SlasheR” Liddicoat and Mackenzie “Mack” Kelley beginning to hit their stride, this match could well be another five-game thriller. Mack and his ability to slay the opposition is going to be key if New York have any chance of beating an OpTic LA side that is filled with potential to make a last-ditch run towards the top of the table. The series has all the makings of going the distance and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it went down to a deciding round 11. It’s going to be oh so close but the Green Wall will stand strong against an incredible onslaught from the Subliners.

Toronto Ultra 0-3 Atlanta FaZe

After showing glimpses of co-ordination and strategy that often outplayed the top teams in the league, Toronto Ultra appears to be in limbo as Nicholas “Classic” DiCostanzo looks have to been demoted to the bench once again. It is still unclear as to who will be replacing him but Tobi “CleanX” Juul Jønsson is the likely candidate having practiced with the team while Classic was absent from the team. With plenty of issues for Toronto, Atlanta could earn the easiest 10 points of their season with a comfortable 3-0 sweep and I think this could well happen unless Toronto pull a rabbit out of the hat and cause the biggest upset of the season.

Tournament Predictions

1st: Atlanta FaZe

2nd: Dallas Empire

3rd: London Royal Ravens

4th: Florida Mutineers

Stay tuned at GGRecon for information on how the weekend unfolds, and make sure to visit our hub for all your CDL information.

 

Images via Call of Duty League