This article is part of our DraftKings CS:GO series.
Games (EDT)
- 12:30 p.m: Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP) vs. Dignitas (DIG)
- 12:30 p.m: BOOM (BOOM) vs. Isurus (ISU)
- 12:30 p.m: Imperial (IMP) vs. RED Canids (RED)
- 4:00 p.m: 100 Thieves (100T) vs. Evil Geniuses (EG)
- 4:00 p.m: Triumph (Tri) vs. Gen.G (GenG)
- 4:00 p.m: Cloud9 (C9) vs. Orgless (ORG)
Ninjas in Pyjamas (1-0) vs. Dignitas (0-1)
The first match of the day is in the European division of the ESL Road to Rio and features a Swedish derby, with Ninjas in Pyjamas taking on Dignitas. This match is filled with both veterans and up-and-coming talent, and could be crucial for both teams. NiP know that a victory here sees them in contention to top the group, while a defeat undo's all of their good work against Vitality. Dignitas on the other hand dropped 2-1 to Heretics, and a defeat here would see them floundering through the group stage early. This match will be a face-off between then young stars, with Plopski and nawwk from NiP, as well as hallzerk from Dignitas all in fine form heading into the match. The value here could come from the wily veterans both sides bring to the table. If friberg or GeT_RiGhT can have a vintage performance they could be excellent value for their price point.
NiP Players to Target: nawwk ($13,200 Captain, $8,800 Flex), Lekr0 ($10,800 Captain, $7,200 Flex)
DIG Players to Target: hallzerk ($11,700 Captain, $7,800 Flex)
BOOM (2-0) vs. Isurus (2-0)
The second match on the slate moves to the South
Games (EDT)
- 12:30 p.m: Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP) vs. Dignitas (DIG)
- 12:30 p.m: BOOM (BOOM) vs. Isurus (ISU)
- 12:30 p.m: Imperial (IMP) vs. RED Canids (RED)
- 4:00 p.m: 100 Thieves (100T) vs. Evil Geniuses (EG)
- 4:00 p.m: Triumph (Tri) vs. Gen.G (GenG)
- 4:00 p.m: Cloud9 (C9) vs. Orgless (ORG)
Ninjas in Pyjamas (1-0) vs. Dignitas (0-1)
The first match of the day is in the European division of the ESL Road to Rio and features a Swedish derby, with Ninjas in Pyjamas taking on Dignitas. This match is filled with both veterans and up-and-coming talent, and could be crucial for both teams. NiP know that a victory here sees them in contention to top the group, while a defeat undo's all of their good work against Vitality. Dignitas on the other hand dropped 2-1 to Heretics, and a defeat here would see them floundering through the group stage early. This match will be a face-off between then young stars, with Plopski and nawwk from NiP, as well as hallzerk from Dignitas all in fine form heading into the match. The value here could come from the wily veterans both sides bring to the table. If friberg or GeT_RiGhT can have a vintage performance they could be excellent value for their price point.
NiP Players to Target: nawwk ($13,200 Captain, $8,800 Flex), Lekr0 ($10,800 Captain, $7,200 Flex)
DIG Players to Target: hallzerk ($11,700 Captain, $7,800 Flex)
BOOM (2-0) vs. Isurus (2-0)
The second match on the slate moves to the South American Road to Rio, with No. 1 vs. No. 2 fighting to top the group. Both teams come in with nearly identical records, 2-1 wins over RED Canids, though Boom were able to 2-0 Imperial, Isurus only won 2-1. BOOM come into the match as favorites, and are the favorites to take first in the South American qualifier, Isurus will be looking to Noktse to lead the upset attempt, as they have put themselves right in the mix. If felps and chelo can play to the level that has seen BOOM at the top of the group it should be plain sailing, especially with shz and yel in flying form. On the other side Isurus will look towards Noktse fresh off the back of a 67 kill performance.
BOOM Players to Target: yel ($10,800 Captain, $7,200 Flex), shz ($8,100 Captain, $5,400 Flex)
ISU Players to Target: Noktse ($12,000 Captain, $8,000 Flex)
Imperial (0-2) vs. RED Canids (0-2)
Imperial and RED Canids head off in the final game of the 12:30 p.m matches, with both looking to claw out of the bottom of the table. Imperial and RED Canids have both struggled against the top two teams, and will be looking to earn the final semi-final spot in a must-win match for both teams. Imperial will look to zqkS and delboNi to carry them over the line while RED feature DeStiNy and fnx to provide the firepower needed. The star turn for RED Canids could very well be latto, who has averaged a 1.22 rating in the past three months, despite a quiet tournament so far.
IMP Players to Target: zqkS ($12,000 Captain, $8,000 Flex), dzt ($9,900 Captain, $6,600 Flex)
RED Players to Target: DeStiNy ($14,100 Captain, $9,400 Flex), latoo ($11,700 Captain, $7,800 Flex)
100 Thieves (0-1) vs. Evil Geniuses (1-0)
The back half of the day opens in North America with 100 Thieves and Evil Geniuses facing off in nearly opposite form. EG come in on the back of a dominant victory over Orgless, where 100 Thieves were dismantled by Gen.G in their group opener, with Liazz and jkaem struggling in particular. This match looks to be no easier for the Oceanic side as Evil Geniuses have seemingly been able to dominate anyone other than Team Liquid in North America. If 100 Thieves do want to take the match and go 1-1 they will look towards a resurgence from Liazz and jkaem, who provide the backbone 100 Thieves need to compete with the very best teams. Evil Geniuses on the other hand have been in scary form, with Brehze and CeRq taking no prisoners as they look to progress through the Road to Rio.
100T Players to Target: jks ($11,100 Captain, $7,400 Flex)
EG Players to Target: Brehze ($12,900 Captain, $8,600 Flex), Ethan ($10,200 Captain, $6,800 Flex)
Triumph (1-0) vs. Gen.G (1-0)
Triumph and Gen.G face off in what could be the most interesting match of the slate. Triumph come in off the back of a massive upset over Cloud9, and will look to repeat against the high-flying Gen.G. On the other side of the match Gen.G will be flush with confidence as they look to their 2-0 dismantling of 100 Thieves, potentially the beginning of this new look international roster meshing. Triumph come in as underdogs once more, and will look once more to Grim and curry to provide the impact and consistency they need to claim another notable scalp. Gen.G will look to koosta, BnTeT, and autimatic, who have all been at their very best so far in Road to Rio. Gen.G could offer strength in depth as well with s0m and daps having the potential to take over a map.
Tri Players to Target: Grim ($11,100 Captain, $7,400 Flex)
GenG Players to Target: koosta ($13,800 Captain, $9,200 Flex), s0m ($9,900 Captain, $6,600 Flex)
Cloud9 (0-1) vs. Orgless (0-1)
The final match of the day is between two teams that didn't expect to end up at the bottom of the table, with Cloud9 and Orgless. Cloud9 was upset by a feisty Triumph side, though the performances from floppy and motm were still strong, and leave Cloud9 with hope in the Road to Rio. Orgless on the other hand capitulated to a strong EG side with everyone other than WARDELL struggling to have an impact on the match. If Orgless want to turn around their 0-1 start to the group then they will need to look to Subroza and Infinite to bring the personal level that saw Orgless pushing the best teams in the world to the very edge. Cloud9 will look at JT and Sonic, who both struggled to have the impact Cloud9 needs to close out tight maps.
C9 Players to Target: floppy ($14,400 Captain, $9,600 Flex), motm ($10,500 Captain, $7,000 Flex)
ORG Players to Target: WARDELL ($11,100 Captain, $7,400 Flex)