User blog comment:B214/Shin DxD 1 discussion/@comment-31137559-20180728051748/@comment-2602:306:CD9A:C860:D140:5D6E:650C:1D24-20180728223807

From a narrative standpoint it would make more sense of Issei wins. He'll likely lose in the top 4 against Indra but he'll make the condition of being a Maou candidate. I doubt Ishibumi would have Issei lose in the first round of the main tournament.

That and on paper, Issei's team is stronger than Rias team.