EPL S19 Preview: Groups A and B – Top Teams Gather, TYLOO Debuts



The ESL Pro League returns for its 19th season, with 32 teams converging in Malta to vie for the championship. This time around, EPL S19 has a different format, with both groups competing simultaneously, resulting in a more condensed and intense schedule.

Let’s delve into the highlights of Groups A and B!

Group A Teams:

• FaZe
• Imperial
• Astralis
• Eternal Fire
• Virtus.pro
• fnatic
• 3DMAX
• SAW

Group B Teams:

• Vitality
• G2
• TYLOO
• Sharks
• M80
• BB
• Falcons
• TheMongolz

Key Points to Watch

Group A

Enigmatic FaZe’s Title Bid

Fresh off their victory at IEM Chengdu 2024, FaZe is currently the world’s top-ranked team, making them one of the favorites to win. However, having reached nine consecutive tournament finals without adequate rest, their aging roster might be affected by fatigue. Rain, in his post-IEM Chengdu interview, mentioned that FaZe won’t have any special preparations for EPL S19; they’ll simply do their best and leave the rest to fate.

Rising Stars Lurking

Eternal Fire stunned Vitality, FaZe, and VP on their way to the Major quarterfinals in Copenhagen, showcasing their potential. Can they replicate this success at EPL S19? Their opening match against Astralis will be crucial, as the Danish team, after recent roster adjustments, showed improvement at IEM Chengdu 2024, defeating both FaZe and VP before falling to them in the semis.

In addition, Virtus.pro, now reinforced by electronic, pose a significant threat. The question remains if electronic can adapt to VP’s slower pace and Dzhami “Jame” Ali’s economic-focused playstyle.

Group B

Vitality and G2 Lead the Way

With a lengthy break since the Major, Vitality has had ample time to prepare. Will the French team, depending on the form of Spinx, flameZ, mezii, and ZywOo, alongside a composed apEX, finally secure a major title? They haven’t reached a final in 2024 yet, so redemption is on the line.

G2, with Nexa, struggles with inconsistency. Relying solely on m0NESY’s performance isn’t enough for them to excel, as seen in their semifinal losses at IEM Chengdu and the Copenhagen Major. G2’s progress depends on their collective in-game execution.

TYLOO’s European Journey and First Battle Against G2

Chinese teams have faced challenging starts in recent years, often drawn against top-tier opponents. TYLOO’s opening match against G2 in Group B, filled with strong teams, presents a daunting task. Their main objective should be to learn from these European powerhouses and grow through these encounters.

Falcons’ Last Chance and TheMongolz’s Breakthrough Bid

Falcons, despite heavy investments, have yet to deliver. With ample preparation time, can they surprise everyone? It seems unlikely. Meanwhile, TheMongolz’s performance is promising after securing an extra Asian slot at the Major. Their opening clash against Falcons might prove competitive!