This article is part of our DraftKings CS:GO series.
Games (EDT)
- 8:00 a.m: MAD Lions (MAD) vs. Natus Vincere (NaVi)
- 11:25 a.m: Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP) vs. FaZe Clan (FaZe)
- 2:50 p.m: 100 Thieves (100T) vs. FURIA (FUR)
MAD Lions vs. Na'Vi
The first match of Thursday's slate is a showdown between Na'Vi and MAD Lions, in a lower-bracket elimination match. Na'Vi, the world No. 1 side, come into the match as the favorites, and despite a defeat to G2, are still one of the strongest teams left in the tournament. MAD Lions on the other hand have been running through the lower bracket, most recently taking down Fnatic, 2-1, to make it to this match. This is the first time these two teams have faced, and it should feature an extremely interesting veto as Overpass and Vertigo are non-starters, reducing the map pool to five maps right away. MAD Lions would prefer Mirage, Nuke or Train, while Na'Vi will look towards Dust 2 or Inferno, where s1mple and electronic can have a chance to show their skill. This match also features one of the most exciting 2-vs-2 matches-within-a-match in all of CS:GO, as s1mple and electronic, the star AWP and rifle of Na'Vi, match against acoR and Bubzkji, who have been in incredible form. If either of those duos is at their best this match could be decided very quickly, especially if either of the AWPer's are at their peaks. While this match looks one-sided on paper, the Danes of MAD Lions could provide excellent value, especially acoR
Games (EDT)
- 8:00 a.m: MAD Lions (MAD) vs. Natus Vincere (NaVi)
- 11:25 a.m: Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP) vs. FaZe Clan (FaZe)
- 2:50 p.m: 100 Thieves (100T) vs. FURIA (FUR)
MAD Lions vs. Na'Vi
The first match of Thursday's slate is a showdown between Na'Vi and MAD Lions, in a lower-bracket elimination match. Na'Vi, the world No. 1 side, come into the match as the favorites, and despite a defeat to G2, are still one of the strongest teams left in the tournament. MAD Lions on the other hand have been running through the lower bracket, most recently taking down Fnatic, 2-1, to make it to this match. This is the first time these two teams have faced, and it should feature an extremely interesting veto as Overpass and Vertigo are non-starters, reducing the map pool to five maps right away. MAD Lions would prefer Mirage, Nuke or Train, while Na'Vi will look towards Dust 2 or Inferno, where s1mple and electronic can have a chance to show their skill. This match also features one of the most exciting 2-vs-2 matches-within-a-match in all of CS:GO, as s1mple and electronic, the star AWP and rifle of Na'Vi, match against acoR and Bubzkji, who have been in incredible form. If either of those duos is at their best this match could be decided very quickly, especially if either of the AWPer's are at their peaks. While this match looks one-sided on paper, the Danes of MAD Lions could provide excellent value, especially acoR at only $10,200.
Prediction: NaVi 2-0
MAD Players to Target: Bubzkji ($11,700 Captain, $7,800 Flex), acoR ($10,200 Captain, $6,800 Flex)
NaVi Players to Target: s1mple ($15,300 Captain, $10,200 Flex)
Ninjas in Pyjamas vs. FaZe Clan
The second match of the day also looks to be the closest as Ninjas in Pyjamas come in as favorites over the international star-studded lineup of FaZe Clan. The form these two teams bring into the match couldn't be any more different. FaZe Clan were absolutely blown out of the water by BIG Clan in an embarrassing 2-0 defeat, where new support, Bymas only managed nine kills across two maps. NiP on the other hand, got revenge for a BLAST Spring defeat at the hands of Vitality, beating the French side 2-0 on Wednesday to make it to this match. NiP, with new addition hampus have been one of the surprises of DreamHack Masters Spring, pushing teams that they seemed to lack the coordination against before. If NiP want to continue their good form and beat FaZe Clan the key will be in their young stars, Plopski and nawwk. If both of the Swedish impact players show up they will elevate NiP around them and bring the team past FaZe. The three superstars of the FaZe Clan lineup, NiKo, coldzera and broky, have been oddly quiet, even with the poor performances from Bymas, none of the stars of the side are shining as brightly as they tend to. The value in this match should come from the Swedish side, as they look to take down a FaZe Clan side that looks lost, and down on firepower.
Prediction: Ninjas in Pyjamas 2-1
NiP Players to Target: nawwk ($11,100 Captain, $7,400 Flex), Plopski ($10,800 Captain, $7,200 Flex)
FaZe Players to Target: broky ($12,900 Captain, $8,600 Flex), coldzera ($10,500 Captain, $7,000 Flex)
100 Thieves vs. FURIA
The final match of the day is a North American DreamHack Masters Spring match featuring the Brazilians of FURIA taking on the Oceanic side of 100 Thieves. FURIA come into the match as the favorites, and off current form it's hard to argue against the Brazilian side considering FURIA have won their last six maps in a row, while 100 Thieves are on a three-map slide. If FURIA want to keep that streak going they will look towards the same two players they always do, the superstars of the side, KSCERATO, and yuurih. 100 Thieves have struggled for firepower, whether they look towards jkaem, jks, Liazz, Gratisfaction, lately it's seemed that 100 Thieves are unable to put together a complete team performance. Their map pool will pose some issues for the Oceanic side as they look to upset FURIA, as the last three meetings between these two teams have had two maps stay constant, Nuke and Mirage, which FURIA happen to enjoy. Whether the third map is Vertigo, or Inferno, 100 Thieves only would have the advantage on Vertigo, where FURIA still post a solid 60 percent win rate. This match could be a playground for the superstars of Brazil if 100 Thieves aren't able to turn around their poor form, especially the rifle of KSCERATO, who comes in at a reasonable $12,600 salary.
Prediction: FURIA 2-1
100T Players to Target: jks ($10,800 Captain, $7,200 Flex)
FUR Players to Target: KSCERATO ($12,600 Captain, $8,400 Flex), yuurih ($11,400 Captain, $7,600 Flex)
