In most professional sports, including eSports, we need to wait until the closing stages of the season to find out which teams will be in the playoffs. Things are a little different in the Counter Strike DreamHack tournament, though, as we see staggered group play ahead of the playoffs. What that means is that you have some groups decided before others even get off the ground. The Thursday games in this competition are all from the European and North American regions, with 6 different teams playing and looking to join the teams that have already finished their groups and moved into the playoff bracket. All told we have 3 games set to go on Thursday, so let’s take a closer look at what we can expect from those matchups and what their Counter Strike betting odds are.
Counter Strike DreamHack Masters May 28th Matches
Team Vitality Vs Ence
This will be the second round of play in Group D in the European region, and with the first round being played as I write this piece, we need to lookback at the previous performances of these teams so that we can make an informed prediction. Team Vitality are based in France and come into this tournament on the heels of a win at EPICENTER 2019, where they took the $250,000 prize. That has to make them a real threat in this event.
Based in Finland, Ence are another team that has some real pedigree, as they have taken either first or second in 9 of the last 10 competitions that they have been part of. Their last win came in June of 2019, when they landed on top at the Telia Esports Season 1 event. A battle between two very good teams, but I am giving the edge to Team Vitality.
Pick: Team Vitality
Natus Vincere Vs Ninjas in Pyjamas
Natus Vincere make their home in Ukraine and come into this event holding a rather lofty record, which is hat they were the first team in the history of Counter Strike events to win 3 major tournaments in a single calendar year. In their last 10 tournaments, they have finished either first or second, which has to make them one of the favorites to win here.
Ninjas in Pyjamas hail from Sweden and are a team that has been disbanded and reformed, which is a surprise when you consider the success that they have seen over the years. In fact, they come into this tournament having won 5 in a row, but it should be noted that their last win came in 2017. Two very good teas set to go head to head here, but my money is on Natus Vincere.
Pick: Natus Vincere
Evil Geniuses Vs 100 Thieves
For the final game of the day, we switch our attention to Group B in the North American region. The first round of games has been played here, so we do have a little more to work with in this matchup. Evil geniuses began their tournament with a 2-1 loss to Cloud 9, so they really need a win if they are to move on to the playoffs.
100 Thieves, on the other hand, can basically punch their ticket into the playoffs with a win in this one, as they opened their account with a win over Gen.G Esports. It’s all about getting into the Upper Bracket Final, though, which comes with winning the group. I believe that 100 Thieves get one step closer to that goal with a win here.
Pick: 100 Thieves
