Just less than a week ago, ESL announced its WoW invitational via ESL TV. The proclamation was met with excitement and enthusiasm all round and looks like the perfect filler between the IEM finals and MLG/Blizzcon.

With that in mind (on top of a hectic uni schedule), I decided to dedicate this week’s column to predicting each of the four weekly groups.

Group A
Ensidia – rogue/mage/priest
Tera Gaming – warrior/warlock/paladin
Lemonparty – druid/warrior/deathknight
Edawgs – rogue/mage/priest

In terms of big names, Group A looks like it’s pretty obvious. Hydra’s newly sponsored RMP, Ensidia, out-fames them all. But this isn’t some e-peen flexing team of bloggers, they actually have the skill to merit such a coveted sponsorship deal. Hydra, famous for his priest movies, is one of the most experienced players in Europe. His partners aren’t exactly ‘unknowns’ either.

Still, a new tournament that takes place in a new patch, and the ‘cookie-cutter’ comp of WoW has yet to be tested in the light of day. With cleave growing in popularity and strength, especially the warrior and druid classes, RMP isn’t quite the safe bet it once was. The threat of a mage dying during hypothermia is very real. That makes Lemonparty a real contender by comp alone. Never the less, I expect Ensidia’s talent and experience to pull them through in week one.

Zechs picks: Ensidia (Hydra, Kalimist, Redhot)

Group B
aAa Nawak – rogue/mage/priest
Sickology – warrior/warlock/druid
x6tence – hunter/paladin/deathknight
Rest in many Pieces – rogue/mage/priest

This group looks a little more balanced on paper. Three of the four teams are experienced LAN players and the fourth is looking to make a name for itself. Playing an oldskool comp that seems to making a comeback, Sickology’s WLD team will be looking to jump on the warrior/druid bandwagon. WLD vs RMP was one of the classic matchups of the Burning Crusade era and it will be interesting to see it reincarnated here.

But after IEM and the Blizzard tournament qualification, aAa looks like the real favourite for this group. X6 seems to be trying to force a square peg into a round hole by playing last season’s FOTM, hunter/pal/DK. Even when hunters were at their peak in season five, x6 weren’t able to topple RMP’s in Hannover. Now that hunters and DK’s have been nerfed, an upset seems even less likely.

As for RiMP, they are a well known team that have yet to really perform in a tournament. If they could sneak first place by beating aAa in mirror games, it would be a real boost to their confidence and notoriety. Unfortunately for the Germans, however, I just can’t see it happening.

Zechs picks: aAa Nawak (Analit, Hiss, Phoenix)

Group C
aAa Rat – rogue/mage/priest
Sky WoW – priest/paladin/deathknight
SK-Gaming – TBD
TBD - TBD

At any other time I would pick SK to win this group, hands down. Their RMP is, debatably, the best in Europe. But with rumours about Orly circulating and the team’s lineup still in question, the obvious isn’t so obvious any more.

Even with a normal roster, the second aAa team is a considerable threat to Zom and co. RMP mirror is, if not random, unpredictable. Sky are no slouches either, although they will probably be a bit out of their depth. Depending on who the fourth team in this group is, SK may struggle to qualify for the fifth and final week.

The main rumour right now hints at a druid replacement for Orly’s priest. This is a comp that has seen tournament play, but not tournament success. Then again, any team with Zom and Another in it has good chance. I expect them to pull through, but only just. The fourth team could make or break this group.

Zechs picks: SK-Gaming

Group D

iNNERFIRE – rogue/mage/priest
Woah – warrior/warlock/druid
Raging Gradon – hunter/shaman/paladin
TBD – TBD

Here we have another group with only three teams so far and another group where two teams could easily beat the other into first place. The IEM European champions have to be considered a threat in any tournament they attend. Although the Bulgarians faded in the global finals, their stellar play in the euros proves that they have to be taken seriously.

Likewise, any team with Inflame on its books can’t be overlooked. Inflame seems like the guy everyone in WoW loves to love. He almost single-handedly maintained warlock’s presence in the arena during season five. Throw in two top tier players like Kae and Ocelote and you have a recipe for success.

Again, the fourth team could be a real spanner in the works here, but I expect Woah to pull through. Innerfire are still a strong team, but with the lack of practice in recent weeks due to Coold’s injury, coupled with the warrior buffs in the latest patch, it looks like Inflame will shine again.

Zechs picks: Woah

The world's first weekly esports column, The Zechs Files, returns next Tuesday. And don't forget to cover SK-Gaming's coverage of the ESL Invite, starting tomorrow. The whole event will be streamed live on ESL TV.