Atlanta FaZe vs OpTic Texas Preview and Predictions: Call of Duty League 2023 Stage 5 Qualifiers

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Atlanta FaZe vs OpTic Texas Preview and Predictions: Call of Duty League 2023 Stage 5 Qualifiers

Atlanta won a Major this year already, but for OpTic Texas, Stage 5 is the last chance to join the ranks of champions.

The 5th Stage of the 2023 Call of Duty League starts today! On the first weekend, Atlanta FaZe will play on Friday, facing Alec “Arcitys” Sanderson and Los Angeles Guerrillas, but on Sunday, Chris “Simp” Lehr and co. will clash with one of their big rivals, OpTic Texas.

Atlanta FaZe vs OpTic Texas Preview

Atlanta FaZe

FaZe wasn’t as dominant as fans expected in Stage 4. They finished the Qualifiers with a 3-2 record, losing to New York Subliners 2-3 as well as Seattle Surge 0-3, but they were able to defeat Toronto Ultra, Florida Mutineers and Minnesota RØKKR – although, against the latter two, they needed the full five matches of the series to win.

Atlanta FaZe vs OpTic Texas The Lineup of FaZe
Source: @ATLFaZe

Nevertheless, they started out great in the Major, defeating Seattle Surge 3-1 thanks to Austin “SlasheR” Liddicoat’s performance. The veteran player singlehandedly won the Control match for Atlanta, which meant they could proceed to the Winner’s Round 2. However, against LAT, they only secured 1 map, meaning they had to try and get to the final in the Lower Bracket. They managed to get through Ultra and New York Subliners barely, but could not win a single map against OpTic Texas, who ended their Stage 4.

OpTic Texas

Sadly for the fans of Anthony “Shotzzy” Cuevas-Castro and his teammates, OpTic Texas couldn’t get enough momentum after beating FaZe. Even though the legendary team had a 5-0 record in the Qualifiers, then defeated Boston Breach 3-1, and New York Subliners 3-0 alongside FaZe Clan, they couldn’t beat the final boss of the tournament.

Atlanta FaZe vs OpTic Texas Huke of OpTic Texas
Source: @OpTicTexas

The first time they met Los Angeles Thieves, they fought hard for that single point they managed to get, but other than the Control round, they couldn’t win a match against LAT. In the Grand Final, they had a better showing – which meant that they could win a Search and Destroy and a Hardpoint before Kenneth “Kenny” Williams and his teammates defeated them 4-2.

Atlanta FaZe vs OpTic Texas Predictions

But now it’s not Los Angeles Thieves they have to defeat, but Atlanta FaZe, against whom they haven’t lost a single match in the 2023 Call of Duty League: they first met in the Stage 2 Qualifiers, where Atlanta lost 2-3, then before the Stage 3 Major, but this time around, OpTic was able to finish FaZe in 4 matches. In the Stage 2 Major, they stopped Atlanta from reaching the finals, and they doubled down on the Stage 4 Major. It seems like Atlanta FaZe found it’s kryptonite, and it’s unlikely they will find their first victory against OpTic this time around.

Where to watch Atlanta FaZe vs OpTic Texas

Watch the clash of the titans this Sunday at 4:30PM ET on the official Call of Duty League Twitch and YouTube channels, and don’t forget to check out our other Previews and Predictions!

Atlanta FaZe vs OpTic Texas Preview and Predictions: Call of Duty League 2023 Stage 5 Qualifiers
Bence Loksa
Bence "Atreus" Loksa is a freelance journalist and League of Legends shoutcaster, covering all things esports and gaming, also yelling loudly at big plays happening on the Summoner's Rift. While his main focus is Riot Games' hit MOBA, he also dabbles in Call of Duty, VALORANT, and as of recent, the tabletop wargame Warhammer 40,000 - where he looks to make some grudges with his Leagues of Votann army.