This article is part of our DraftKings CS:GO series.
Games (EDT)
- 10:30 a.m: Natus Vincere (NaVi) vs. Complexity (coL)
- 2:00 p.m: Vitality (VIT) vs. FaZe Clan (FaZe)
- 5:30 p.m: FURIA (FUR) vs. Team Liquid (TL)
Na'Vi vs. Complexity
The first match of Thursday's slate is an upper bracket semi-final between Na'Vi and Complexity, and it looks to be one of the most one-sided of the day. Na'Vi are overwhelming favorites, and with the form of electronic and s1mple it's hard to argue against the dominant CIS side. The maps look odd on the face of it; Complexity have an advantage on every single map, but this is due to their participation in lower-level competitions such as the Home Sweet Home and LOOT.BET cups. These sides have only met twice before, and both times Na'Vi came out comfortably on top, on five unique maps as well. The veto should be interesting despite how heavily favored Na'Vi are -- Complexity will look towards Dust2 and Nuke, two maps Na'Vi are excellent on, while Na'Vi tend to prefer Inferno, even though they have a poor win rate on the map. The value in this map should come from two superstars from the heavily favored Na'Vi: electronic and s1mple, who are both in incredible form. If Complexity pull off the upset it will on the back of excellence from blameF and k0nfig in particular, who have provided the firepower for Complexity's surge up the world rankings.
Prediction: 2-0 Na'Vi
- NaVi Players to Target: s1mple ($13,800 Captain, $9,200 Flex), electronic ($12,000 Captain, $8,000 Flex)
Games (EDT)
- 10:30 a.m: Natus Vincere (NaVi) vs. Complexity (coL)
- 2:00 p.m: Vitality (VIT) vs. FaZe Clan (FaZe)
- 5:30 p.m: FURIA (FUR) vs. Team Liquid (TL)
Na'Vi vs. Complexity
The first match of Thursday's slate is an upper bracket semi-final between Na'Vi and Complexity, and it looks to be one of the most one-sided of the day. Na'Vi are overwhelming favorites, and with the form of electronic and s1mple it's hard to argue against the dominant CIS side. The maps look odd on the face of it; Complexity have an advantage on every single map, but this is due to their participation in lower-level competitions such as the Home Sweet Home and LOOT.BET cups. These sides have only met twice before, and both times Na'Vi came out comfortably on top, on five unique maps as well. The veto should be interesting despite how heavily favored Na'Vi are -- Complexity will look towards Dust2 and Nuke, two maps Na'Vi are excellent on, while Na'Vi tend to prefer Inferno, even though they have a poor win rate on the map. The value in this map should come from two superstars from the heavily favored Na'Vi: electronic and s1mple, who are both in incredible form. If Complexity pull off the upset it will on the back of excellence from blameF and k0nfig in particular, who have provided the firepower for Complexity's surge up the world rankings.
Prediction: 2-0 Na'Vi
- NaVi Players to Target: s1mple ($13,800 Captain, $9,200 Flex), electronic ($12,000 Captain, $8,000 Flex)
- coL Players to Target: blameF ($12,900 Captain, $8,600 Flex)
Vitality vs. FaZe Clan
The second match of the day if another upper bracket semi-final, this time between the International side of FaZe Clan and the ZywOo-lead Vitality. This match looks likely to be the closest of the slate, and potentially the closest of the tournament, as these teams are nearly impossible to split. If ZywOo and NiKo are at their very best they have the potential to dominate the match; if not, it will come down to both sides' depth, depth that favors a star-studded lineup such as FaZe Clan's. The map veto will be quite interesting, with both teams coming in as favorites on two of the five non-permanently banned maps, and the final map being impossible to split. FaZe Clan will look towards Dust 2 and Mirage, two maps that they are excellent on, but two maps that give ZywOo the potential to absolutely carry. Vitality will look towards the more team-oriented Inferno and Nuke, where their veteran presence could help them over the line. The value in this match is once more from a superstar, but not just a superstar - THE superstar: ZywOo is available, and he is exceptional.
Prediction: 2-1 Vitality
- VIT Players to Target: ZywOo ($13,500 Captain, $9,000 Flex)
- FaZe Players to Target: coldzera ($10,500 Captain, $7,000 Flex), rain ($9,600 Captain, $6,400 Flex)
FURIA vs. Team Liquid
The final match of the day moves to North America and an elimination match that almost no one would have predicted. The world No. 4, and North American No. 1, FURIA and Team Liquid, who they took those titles from, are fighting to avoid elimination in the very first round of BLAST Spring. Both teams come into the match on the back of an upset defeat: FURIA in the Brazilian derby to MiBR, Team Liquid in a North American classic versus Evil Geniuses. Normally this match would look close, but on form, not just in the last weeks, but over many months FURIA look to be the far-and-away best team in North America, most recently winning DreamHack Masters Spring in a 3-0 sweep over Team Liquid. The veto will be crucial for Team Liquid, as they are only favored on one map - Nuke, and a map that they will need to take and win in their first rotation, or FURIA will use their second ban on it. The last time these two sides met, on June 14, Team Liquid inexplicably picked FURIA's best map, Mirage (100 percent win rate) against them, and they were promptly punished in a 3-0 thrashing; if that doesn't change, expect a similar result Thursday. The one way back for Team Liquid is in pure star power, EliGE and NAF, at their best are one of the most deadly duos in the world, and will be the value of this match if Team Liquid get the upset win.
Prediction: 2-1 FURIA
