The climax of Stage 1 is imminent, with a whopping seven teams still possessing a chance to make Stage 1's playoffs, meaning there are plenty of important games this week to tune in for. Currently the London Spitfire are top of the table on map difference but only by a single map, and will be looking to hold on despite two tough games ahead of them. The chasing pack all have matches against each other, with the Houston Outlaws best placed to rob one of the Koreans of their playoff spot. Notably, Houston have a +14 map difference compared to the Seoul Dynasty (+11), but with everything so close quite literally every map will count. For a more in-depth look, the Overwatch League has produced this video showing the possible outcomes for the current top three.

There can be no mistakes made this week for anybody who wants to make playoffs, meaning even the games that are likely to be more one-sided will have an extra spice to them. Nobody wants to miss out on playoffs due to match difference so expect a somewhat rough time for the lower teams as they are matched against full strength rosters from the elite. As always, you can tune into matches live at Twitch, MLG, and the Overwatch League website and keep track of the scores at the event page.

Matches of the Week

Los Angeles Valiant @ Seoul Dynasty

Image Credit: Blizzard

As with many of the games this week, both teams have the potential to reach playoffs. The Seoul Dynasty have looked shaky in recent weeks, after a catastrophic loss to the London Spitfire, they need to bounce back here to ensure nobody takes their spot away from them. If the Koreans can win here, they have an easier tie against the San Francisco Shock later in the week to lock in their spot.

On the other side, Los Angeles Valiant have an outside shot of playoffs but have struggled to beat any of the elite teams so far in Stage 1. If they can take their first major scalp of Overwatch League Season 1 here they will also be well placed to steal a playoff spot if either of the other Korean teams slips up, as they play Shanghai Dragons in their final game.

LA Valiant are likely to run the dive heavy, aggressive style they have run all season. While, the Seoul Dynasty are one of the most capable teams at dealing with this, but a recent dip in form may be just the opening the local LA lads need.

Philadelphia Fusion @ Boston Uprising

Image Credit: Blizzard

Kicking off Day 2 is the first of two tough tests for Boston Uprising and they need to win both to stand a chance at playoffs. Philadelphia Fusion are in a similar situation but their poor map difference (-1) compared to other teams make their qualification unlikely.

There is likely going to be a lot of dive vs dive in this matchup, but with the exception of Junketown, the map pool heavily favours the Boston Uprising team who will be looking to get a small token of revenge for their New England Patriot brethren.

London Spitfire @ Houston Outlaws

Image Credit: Blizzard

Both teams in this matchup have two hard games this week and start it against each other. The London Spitfire will be looking to prove that their game against the Seoul Dynasty was not a flash in the pan and that they have finally got their act together and are ready to dominate in a fashion that their roster always suggested they could.

The Houston Outlaws welcome back LiNkzr to the roster, and after almost beating the Seoul Dynasty last week they have a taste for Korean blood. How well Muma and coolmatt can contain Profit will be crucial to giving the Houston DPS duo space and time to win the game. While the London Spitfire impressed last week, with their tough finish to the season they are still the most likely to drop out of the playoff spots, it will be all guns blazing as these two teams go all out for victory.

New York Excelsior @ London Spitfire

Image Credit: Blizzard

This is the most prominent spectacle of this week, excluding potential playoff games. The top two teams clash, the winner all but secures their playoff spot while the loser opens themselves up to exiting the top three at the last second.

The London Spitfire dismantled the Seoul Dynasty last week but historically the GC Busan core did something similar to the Lunatic-Hai core back in APEX. Whether the London Spitfire can repeat this against the team that has looked best consistently over the last few weeks is another matter. If Saybyeolbe can dominate the Spitfire DPS as he has done to all over DPS combos in the eague, it will be an uphill struggle for British representatives.

This game will kick off the final day and is a must watch, do not be surprised if we see a repeat of this fixture somewhere in the playoffs later that day either. It doesn’t get better than this.

Houston Outlaws @ Boston Uprising

Image Credit: Blizzard

Directly following the all-Korean clash is another tantalising battle. If either team fail to win their first game earlier in the week, they will be out of the playoff race, but both will be keen to get the win regardless, whether to try and steal a playoff spot or for the overall rankings come the end of the season.

Both teams are in great form too; while you would give the Houston Outlaws the edge going into it, it is too close to call for sure. With NotE coming into the starting lineup, Boston Uprising have seen more consistency in their results and clearer victories. This will be the tougher of their two tests this week, but after surprising everyone already in the opening Stage, it is yet to be seen where their true skill cap is. Strap in folks because shortly after this game the playoffs begin, making for one incredible day of Overwatch.

Schedule

This full schedule for this week can be found below or at the Overwatch League event page:

Wednesday February 7th

16:00 PST / 01:00 CET / 09:00 KST – Shanghai Dragons vs Dallas Fuel - Eichenwalde, Horizon Lunar Colony, Oasis, Dorado
18:00 PST / 03:00 CET / 11:00 KST – San Francisco Shock vs Los Angeles Gladiators – Numbani, Horizon Lunar Colony, Oasis, Junkertown
20:00 PST / 05:00 CET / 13:00 KST – Los Angeles Valiant vs Seoul Dynasty - Eichenwalde, Temple of Anubis, Oasis, Dorado

Thursday February 8th

14:00 PST / 23:00 CET / 07:00 KST – Philadelphia Fusion vs Boston Uprising - Eichenwalde, Horizon Lunar Colony, Illios, Junkertown
16:00 PST / 01:00 CET / 09:00 KST – Florida Mayhem vs New York Excelsior – Eichenwalde, Horizon Lunar Colony, Illios, Junkertown
18:00 PST / 03:00 CET / 11:00 KST – London Spitfire vs Houston Outlaws - Eichenwalde, Temple of Anubis, Oasis, Dorado

Friday February 9th

16:00 PST / 01:00 CET / 09:00 KST – Los Angeles Gladiators vs Dallas Fuel - Eichenwalde, Temple of Anubis, Oasis, Dorado
18:00 PST / 03:00 CET / 11:00 KST – Seoul Dynasty vs San Francisco Shock – Eichenwalde, Temple of Anubis, Illios, Dorado
20:00 PST / 05:00 CET / 13:00 KST – Los Angeles Valiant vs Shanghai Dragons - Numbani, Temple of Anubis, Illios, Junkertown

Saturday February 10th

11:00 PST / 20:00 CET / 04:00 KST – New York Excelsior vs London Spitfire - Eichenwalde, Horizon Lunar Colony, Illios, Dorado
13:00 PST / 22:00 CET / 06:00 KST – Houston Outlaws vs Boston Uprising – Eichenwalde, Temple of Anubis, Illios, Dorado
15:00 PST / 00:00 CET / 08:00 KST – Florida Mayhem vs Philadelphia Fusion - Numbani, Horizon Lunar Colony, Oasis, Junkertown