My views on that matchup fluctuated during the arc and iirc only time I actually outright stated that I didn't think they were going to defeat Linlin was after that one chapter when they both had their asses handed to them by Linlin and were both passed out on the floor. This was after the two had already stated that they were already running on empty after using awakening. Forgive me for my lack of faith in the two under those circumstances

. Even then I still held the view that they were gonna knock her off the island or something which actually ended up happening. Regardless, this is the not the same as their fight against Linlin. Kidd doesn't have to win here and stakes aren't nearly as high as it was Wano.