The DICE Nationals are upon us ladies and gentlemen, and with a field of teams that's starting to wear thin compared to the competitions of old that we're all used to, when you had a 16 team national without clear knowledge of who would actually win the competition.

The times have indeed changed but you can't help be a little amazed there are still people running competitions for gamers and the loyal players that have stuck around to help the game stay alive. No doubt there is still quality teams attending this event and it's actually harder to predict than I first imagined after looking at the lineups a little more closely.

But without further adieu, lets get stuck into it and have a look at these groups, who will advance, some of the key matchups and players to watch.

Group A have 3 teams that on paper should advance comfortably if they play their game. You have a new Immunity squad untested, Exile5 who have had the same lineup for a little while now with some solid prac under their belt, and XG a dangerous mix team with top class players.

On the other side of the group we have gearFactory, VHM and OverKlassen; 3 teams that will be hungry to take down a big name team and cause an upset and perhaps even sneak out of groups.

If the "favoured" 3 aren't on their toes we could see this group going pear-shaped very easily. Another thing to note is the importance of the matchups between Immunity, Exile5, and XG - this is going to determine group placings and also could be a massive turning point for one of them if they do indeed lose that game against each other and then hiccup again, they could find themselves eliminated early.

gearFactory if they have the lineup I'm told may throw a spanner in the works and could really have a shot at an upset and possibly getting out of groups in that 3rd spot.

OverKlassen have iceman and doudou, 2 very capable players at national level and have proven that, but I just don't think they will have the complete package to find themselves getting out of groups.

VHM have been around forever and also have quality players that posses some crazn aim, but unfortunately they don't seem to have the passion to win anymore and are probably playing more for fun than anything. A shame as at full potential, they can cause waves and beat some of the top tier teams.

GROUP A Key Matchups #1

Immunity vs Exile5

The first game you can't go past is Immunity verse Exile5 on tuscan. Tuscan can be a tricky map to play as not many teams fully understand how to play it, but these 2 do and it's going to make for a great game.

Immunity have more experience playing teams of higher calibre on this map, but with a new lineup that haven't had time to play on LAN together yet, it probably won't make too much of a difference.

Exile5 in theory should be more drilled as they've been together longer, had more time to prepare, and more games under the belt than Immunity.

I'm predicting this game to be fairly close if Exile5 get the first pistol round and roll on. If Immunity win and build up that momentum, I can't see Exile5 coming back into the game and we might see a big scoreline in favour of Immunity.

Yaman should control the game with his awp and destiny providing random timed pushes to throw Exile5 off guard. Exile5 are going to be on the backfoot if they let Immunity roll over them and control the map. They'll have to come out guns blazing if they want to beat Immunity and really put them out of their comfort zone. In the end I think Immunity will just be a little too strong for Exile5 and take the game 16-12.

Players to watch

Yam Immunity	deStiny Immunity		JKS Exile5	Conz Exile5

GROUP A Key Matchups #2

XG vs Exile5

This is the game that should be for the 2nd place of Group A and should be a really entertaining game to spectate. On one side you have a complete mix team made purely for nationals, and on the other you will have an actual team that's been practicing for a while and in it for the long haul.

XG's style will be all aim based and with the players they have they should be able to challenge X5 on aim alone and randomness. That's one problem when you're a proper team is a good mix team is unpredictable and you can't counter-strat them and just have to hope you play solid as 5.

I expect Exile5 to win this game but I don't think the're going to have as easay a time as they'd like. XG have some power fraggers in their team like pupajoN and EMIR who can turn games on their head, but could run into a wall if Exile5 play their normal game and don't make mistakes, it will be hard for XG to really string together rounds without any kind of proper structure to their play.

Exile5 to take the game 16-10 with strats and teamwork being the difference in the end.

Players to watch

teddyT XG	pupajoN XG		Sponny Exile5	Sommi Exile5