In this Worlds 2026 quarterfinal, it’s genuinely hard to name a clear favorite. Although Dplus KIA comes into the match with a perfect 3–0 record in the Swiss stage, Bilibili Gaming has a roster capable of beating any opponent, as their wins over strong teams have shown. The market giving BLG a 59% chance is likely factoring in the Chinese team’s peak form, but Dplus KIA should certainly not be underestimated.
📊 Why Dplus KIA could win
· A flawless start: Dplus KIA are one of only two teams to make it through the Swiss stage undefeated. They beat G2 Esports, T1, and Movistar KOI in succession without having to spend extra energy on tiebreakers.
· A psychological edge: At the Esports World Cup in July 2026, Dplus KIA had already beaten BLG 2–1 in a series, coming back from a deficit of nearly 7,000 gold in the decisive third game.
· ShowMaker’s experience: Dplus KIA have world champion ShowMaker on their roster, setting the pace and keeping his composure in key moments. His presence is an important stabilizing factor for the younger players (Siwoo, Smash, and Career) in elimination matches.
⚠️ Why Bilibili Gaming could pull off an upset
· Star power: BLG arguably have the tournament’s most star-studded roster, with Bin in the top lane, Knight in mid, and Viper as the ADC. These players’ individual skill could turn any series around.
· Momentum after beating HLE: In the decisive Swiss-stage match, BLG convincingly took down the reigning MSI champions, Hanwha Life Esports (2–0). This gave the team the confidence it needed after an inconsistent start.
· The threat of Bin: For young top laner Siwoo, Bin is arguably the toughest opponent he could face. If BLG can get the upper hand in this lane, Dplus KIA could find themselves in serious trouble.
💡 Prediction
I expect an extremely close series that could well go to a fifth game. I give Dplus KIA a slight edge thanks to their flawless form and experience playing against BLG, but there’s a very real chance BLG will win.
