The Brackets
Open Bracket I
Bombervs TBA 
Tarsonvs 
Bly
Coming straight from one of the most intense games this year, the IPL TAC match against TaeJa, Bomber feels like the favorite, regardless of who he is going to face. These two players just faced each other in the Assembly qualifiers, which ended in Bly's favor. With both players' record in mind, this probably won't end any differently.
Bomber Tarson Bly 
YongHwa ReaL
Aures
NaNiwaIf NaNiwa overcomes his weak performances in foreign tournaments as of late, he might be in for a treat. In arguably one of the more balanced brackets, he has the potential to stand up to Bomber and YongHwa and make it through. None of the other players is nominally stronger than the Swede on his best days. YongHwa's play at HomeStory Cup V is something he can be proud of, though, and makes fans of high-level Protoss games hopeful. Not to forget Bomber, who has always stuck around and beat top players here and there.
Hopes to make it to the group stages: Bomber.
Open Bracket II
Mvp vs TBA Adelscott vs 
Grubby
Let's take a second out of our day and pity whoever has to face the best Terran in StarCraft 2 history. Only a large blunder by Mvp can help him. Adelscott's recent record with success against Polt and CoCa speaks for itself, while Grubby's win against Squirtle in the FXOpen Qualifiers stands out in his. It's gooing to be a tight match with a slight edge for the former WarCraft 3 god in this PvP.
Mvp Adelscott Grubby Oz
DBS
TargA AcEWe don't really need to question who the true favorite in this group is. Mvp is one of the most established players in StarCraft 2, is one of the top earners and a force to reckon with in every tournament he was in since he started tearing up opponents left and right. Oz comes in a close second, being a Code S regular and all. The foreigners in this bracket are unlikely to leave a big impression with Grubby being their most prominent representative. All their recent performance have stunted and there is no reason to believe this IEM will be any different.
Open Bracket III
NesTea vs TBA Strelok vs Socke
The destroyer of worlds is going to face a unfortunate soul in the first round. Not unlike Mvp, he is a favorite regardless of who he faces. Admittedly, Socke's recent results are all but promising. But even in light of Strelok's slightly superior record, he has that home advantage that might pull him through.
NesTea Strelok Socke Killer XlorD PuMaIt will be interesting to see how the 'lesser' Koreans fare in this group. If Socke manages to gather his strength for this one he would be able to defeat them. XlorD has just recently picked up StarCraft 2 again and will most likely not make a impact of any kind. Strelok is a bit of a wild card and has made himself a name in the EU scene for a reason. The clear favorite in this bracket, as expected, is NesTea. He hasn't created this planet and its inhabitants to be defeated easily.
Mc got to take home the grand prize on his last trip to Cologne.
Open Bracket IV
MC vs TBA 
LucifroNvs WhiteRa
It seems like all the favorites for not only the Open Bracket but the entire tournament are given their adversaries last. MC is no exception from the rule. The two Spaniards VortiX and LucifroN have been on a steady march to the top of the EU scene. WhiteRa, in contrast is slowly receding and a pleasant personality will only get you so far.
MC LucifroN WhiteRa JYP
Cloud
DeathAngel ForGGIt's BossToss time in Bracket IV. The winner of Season 6 in the same city wants to bounce back from his loss in the Code S finals and this might be his big chance. ForGG will give him a run for his money, though, if he keeps up the pace from ASUS ROG Assembly. With JYP being the only serious contender it would be a huge surprise not to see ForGG advance to the group stage alongside MC. If anyone of the foreigners could pose a threat, it would have to be LucifroN. His improvement has been impressive lately.
