MyBookie returns with more free eSports betting tips and predictions for two Intel Extreme Masters Katowice 2022 matches. Here are our Counter Strike Betting picks for Virtus.pro vs G2 Esports and Gambit Esports vs FaZe Clan, who will lock horns on Friday, February 25.
Top Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Games to Wager on Friday, February 25
Virtus.pro Vs G2 Esports
- When: Friday, February 25 – 15:30 CET
Virtus.pro and G2 Esports will clash on Friday, in their first meeting since August 2021, when Virtus.pro won 2-1. However, G2 were at the time fielding a completely different roster, so we wouldn’t overreach to that result. Nevertheless, there’s a good chance Virtus.pro pick up another win on Friday.
Virtus.pro qualified for the playoffs directly from Group A, where they won against Copenhagen Flames (2-0) and Ninjas in Pyjamas (2-1), but they proved no match for Heroic who beat them 2-0 on Sunday.
Even though the Danes crushed Virtus.pro with 16-5 on Mirage and 16-10 on Vertigo, we have to keep in mind that Heroic are playing like the best team at the tournament. So while Virtus.pro would have liked to win; we can’t criticize them too much for losing that bout.
Unlike VP, who secured a direct bye into the playoffs, G2 Esports had to work a bit harder to make it to the tournament’s final stage.
G2 Esports kicked off IEM Katowice in Group B, where they lost their group opener against Fnatic (1-2), but found their stride in the lower bracket, where they won against Team Liquid (2-0), FURIA (2-1), and Astralis (2-1).
G2 Esports have played more games than VP, but they haven’t beaten any notable opponents, so it makes no sense for the bookies to price them as the favorites. Admittedly, G2 Esports have a solid roster on paper, but they have yet to show anything that would lead us to believe they can defeat Virtus.pro.
Prediction: Virtus.pro to win
Gambit Esports vs FaZe Clan
- When: Friday, February 25 – 19:00 CET
Gambit Esports had a very rough start to the tournament. Billed as the second-strongest team at IEM Katowice, Gambit slipped in the first round of Group A when they lost against Ninjas in Pyjamas (1-2).
Gambit looked better in the lower bracket, but not by much – they edged past Copenhagen Flames (2-1), took down Team Vitality (2-0), and secured a revenge win against Ninjas in Pyjamas (2-0) to qualify for the next stage.
But while Gambit defeated some big-name teams, we wouldn’t overreact to their victories against the disjointed Vitality, nor would we be overly excited about Gambit beating Ninjas in Pyjamas, who were by no means a serious title contender.
FaZe Clan secured a direct invite into the IEM Katowice playoffs by finishing Group B in second place. They won against Team Liquid (2-1) and Fnatic (2-1) but couldn’t make it past the tournament favorites, Natus Vincere, who beat them 2-1 in Group B finals on Sunday.
FaZe’s results so far are somewhat confusing since they’re not terrible, but also not particularly great. Winning against Liquid and Fnatic and needing three maps to do so is hardly inspiring. But then again, FaZe forced overtime on map three against Natus Vincere.
These are both solid teams, but neither has shown anything spectacular so far. Gambit have looked improved since their group stage defeat, but we wouldn’t say that they’re good.
Likewise, FaZe turned many heads with their series against NaVi, but they were somewhat underwhelming in the previous outings. Expect a close match that can end either way.
Prediction: Over 2.5 maps
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