The opening matches of the PW Shanghai Major 2024 have been drawn. 16 teams enter the prestigious CS2 tournament at the Opening Stage, looking to fight their way to the Elimination Stage. It all starts here.
To mark the occasion, we’re looking at the opening matches of the PW Shanghai Major, and making some CS2 betting predictions. All outright bets for each match, which you can then put into an accumulator or system bet. All odds here are from Thunderpick.
FURIA vs. GamerLegion
Credit: Perfect World
Up first is FURIA vs. GamerLegion. This is a fascinating match for a few reasons. Although FURIA are in decent form and are the better team on paper, GamerLegion are coming in on the back of four best-of-three victories to qualify for the Major. Their matches were more recent, too, so GamerLegion should be warmer in a competitive sense.
The odds favor FURIA, but considering GamerLegion’s streak, we think they could provide good value here. After all, the best-of-ones always throw up a surprise or two – you just have to predict which one it’ll be.
Our prediction: GamerLegion (2.70)
Virtus.pro vs. MIBR
Credit: Perfect World
Up next is Virtus.pro vs. MIBR. We’re expecting this matchup to be pretty straightforward. MIBR haven’t looked steady since adding Lucaozy two months ago, with a string of rough results despite their Major qualification. Meanwhile, the individuals on Virtus.pro are starting to find some real form, especially Jame, who hasn’t looked himself in the past months.
Virtus.pro are the betting favorites here, with good reason. They’ve found a great balance between electroNic’s aggressive playstyle and Jame’s saving strats, and should be primed to get off to a winning start at the PW Shanghai Major 2024.
Our prediction: Virtus.pro (1.65)
Liquid vs. Cloud9
Credit: Perfect World
Liquid vs. Cloud9. If nothing else, we think this will be a messy game. Neither team have been particularly great of late, making this one more of a tossup than the betting odds would suggest.
We’re holding our nose and going with the favorites in Liquid here. Cloud9 certainly aren’t the finished article, and Liquid have more than enough quality to get them over the line in a best-of-one match.
Our prediction: Liquid (1.5)
Complexity vs. FlyQuest
Credit: Perfect World
FlyQuest haven’t convinced many of their quality in 2024, me included. Complexity aren’t exactly serial winners either, but both their ceiling and their floor is much higher than FlyQuest’s.
Coming into this match, the CS2 odds massively favor Complexity. It’s hard to disagree with that assessment, which is why they’re our pick in this matchup.
Our prediction: Complexity (1.38)
BIG vs. Passion UA
Credit: Perfect World
Passion UA were the surprise package of the European RMRs, reaching the Major for the first time ever. Meanwhile, this is familiar territory for BIG – all of its players have been here before.
In the opening match, we think experience will win the day. BIG should take this match, as the pressure of the occasion could get to Passion UA.
Our prediction: BIG (1.65)
Fnatic vs. Wildcard
Credit: Perfect World
Fnatic are a much better team than their results suggest. In players like blameF and nawwk, they have two individuals who can take over the server. Wildcard are a solid roster too, with JBa among NA’s most exciting talents and veteran IGL Stanislaw at the helm.
We’re picked this one based on the ceilings of both teams. If blameF and nawwk show up for Fnatic, then they should be able to take this opening best-of-one.
Our prediction: Fnatic (1.72)
The MongolZ vs. Rare Atom
Credit: Perfect World
Two of Asia’s best CS2 teams go head to head in the opening matches of the PW Shanghai Major 2024. On paper, there’s a real gulf in quality here. The MongolZ can beat any team in the world, while it was surprising that Rare Atom made it out of the Asia RMR.
We’re staying with the favorites here. It would be arguably the biggest surprise of the opening matches if Rare Atom could somehow beat The MongolZ, and we just don’t see it.
Our prediction: The MongolZ (1.20)
paiN Gaming vs. Imperial
Credit: Perfect World
The last match to cover is paiN Gaming vs. Imperial. Brazil vs. Brazil. Imperial have impressed with young talents noway and decenty on the roster, but paiN Gaming are pretty consistent at these international LANs.
This one is separated by one big factor: the biguzera buff. We rate paiN Gaming’s IGL so highly, and it’s almost a shame he hasn’t been given the chance to work with a truly winning lineup yet. He should make the difference here.
Our prediction: paiN Gaming (1.52)
When put together as an accumulator, this comes to odds of 47.73. In every match except FURIA vs. GamerLegion, we’ve gone for the favorite. It’s a risk in the best-of-ones, but we have our reasons. A $10 stake on this bet returns $477.30 –
Odds quoted on this page are subject to change. Please bet responsibly.