ESL Pro League Season 21 is here, bringing a much-needed update to the formula of one of ESL’s most popular tournaments. Instead of the typical four Group, we’re seeing 16 teams jump straight into a single Swiss format group, giving us eight opening games to discuss in the Play-In. Let’s make some predictions about how it’s all going to kick off.
Eternal Fire vs. Mindfreak
Credit: Enos Ku | ESL
There’s really not all that much to say about the opening match of ESL Pro League Season 21. For me, Eternal Fire are one of the favorites to win the entire event, while Mindfreak will be happy to be there. If Eternal Fire don’t manage to 2:0 this one, they’ll be extremely disappointed with themselves.
My prediction: Eternal Fire 2:0 Mindfreak
M80 vs. FlyQuest
Credit: Igor Bezborodov | © ESL
I expect M80 vs. FlyQuest to be a very messy series. May the least-worst team win. Whoever can make the least mistakes here should come out on top, but both teams will have ample opportunity to take advantage of the holes in each other’s armor. I’ve been really unconvinced with FlyQuest lately, so I’m going against them here.
My prediction: M80 2:1 FlyQuest
Heroic vs. SAW
Credit: ESL
Heroic strike me as somewhat dark horses in this CS2 tournament. If they can show some of their online performances on LAN, they can be a really competitive underdog at ESL Pro League S21. Meanwhile, this is SAW’s first event with two new pieces in their lineup. That makes them unpredictable and therefore, dangerous. Heroic should be able to win this one, but I’ve got a feeling I can’t shake that SAW will surprise with a map win.
My prediction: Heroic 2:1 SAW
3DMAX vs. TYLOO
Credit: Sebastian Pandelache | PGL
Life with bodyy has been decent so far for 3DMAX. It’s a bit of a sidegrade, but even by not getting worse, they should have enough to take down Chinese team TYLOO with ease. The latter is still bedding in new player Mercury, so don’t expect much out of TYLOO.
My prediction: 3DMAX 2:0 TYLOO
FURIA vs. Lynn Vision
Credit: Enos Ku | ESL
It’s hard to know what to make of FURIA. Whenever it looks like things are getting better, they all of a sudden look much worse out of nowhere. One thing’s for sure – they should still have more than enough to batter Lynn Vision in this ESL Pro League S21 match. Anything else would simply be a bit embarrassing.
My prediction: FURIA 2:0 Lynn Vision
MIBR vs. Nemiga
Credit: Enos Ku | ESL
Nemiga have grinded their way through Tier 2 to reach ESL Pro League S21, and that’s to be respected. It makes them somewhat of an unknown quantity coming into this one, while MIBR come in off the back of yet another roster change. I reckon Nemiga will be able to do enough to snag a map in this series, though I don’t expect them to run out winners.
My prediction: MIBR 2:1 Nemiga
GamerLegion vs. NRG
Credit: Perfect World
NRG reaching a Tier 1 event is a big step in this team’s development, and it’ll be nice to see some familiar names like nitr0, oSee, and br0 in action. Even still, the team have largely faced inferior North American opposition of late, and it’ll be very tough to face a tactically strong team like GamerLegion in this step up. I only see this going one way – a GamerLegion 2:0.
My prediction: GamerLegion 2:0 NRG
paiN Gaming vs. Housebets
Credit: Helena Kristiansson | ESL
You have to give all the credit to Housebets for managing to fight their way to ESL Pro League Season 21, but it’s hard to imagine a worse opening match for them than paiN Gaming. This will be a very fast series, if I had to guess.
My prediction: paiN Gaming 2:0 Housebets