Stage 1 of the StarLadder Budapest Major has been highly unpredictable, with favorites such as FaZe Clan hanging on by the skin of Finn “karrigan” Andersen’s teeth. That makes predicting the outcome of Stage 2 a daunting Pick’Ems challenge.
In our guide to getting the coveted StarLadder Budapest Major Diamond Coin, we explained how the Viewer Pass and Pick’Em feature works. With Stage 1 in the rearview mirror, it’s time to make the best Stage 2 predictions.
Best StarLadder Budapest Major Stage 2 Pick’Em Choices
With the high volatility of best-of-one matches (except elimination and advancement matches, which are best-of-three), and considering the many upsets of Stage 1, such as GamerLegion crashing out amid 100 Thieves links, predicting the outcome perfectly is a pipedream.
To complete the Stage 2 Pick’Ems challenges and continue leveling up your Viewers Pass, you just need to get enough correct to score a passing grade. Check out the two challenges outlined below.
- Place all ten (10) Pick’Em predictions for Stage 2 before it begins.
- Get five (5) correct Pick’Em predictions for Stage 2.
The first one is easy, unless you miss the deadline. You have until 04:00 PT on November 29 before Stage 2 Pick’Ems close. For those in the UK/Europe, that’s 12:00 (midday).
The predictions ask fans to pick two squads they think will advance to Stage 3 with 3-0 records, and two who will crash out with 0-3 records. The remaining six selections are for teams will advance to the next stage with 3-1 and 3-2 records.
3-0 Predictions For Stage 2:
Turkish powerhouse Aurora Gaming earned our top pick for one of the two teams that would go flawless. We also went with Astralis, believing that Rasmus “HooXi” Nielsen could lead his team to two quick wins and showcase the all-Danish squad’s prowess in the best-of-three advancement match.
0-3 Predictions For Stage 2:
Sorry, TYLOO fans, but we think the Chinese squad’s journey might just come to an abrupt end in Stage 2. We’ve chosen MIBR as the other team that will go 0-2 in Stage 2 of the StarLadder Budapest Major, as they are the lowest-rated team (#35 on the VRS) left.
3-1 and 3-2 Predictions For Stage 2:
After performing diligent research on matchup histories, stats, rankings, and past performances, while taking CS2 betting odds into account, we came up with the six Pick’Em choices of teams that will make it to Stage 3 with 3-1 and 3-2 scores.
Despite the close call in Stage 1, FaZe Clan will power up. Further, the Australian stars of FlyQuest impressed to such a degree in Stage 1 that we think they’ll survive Stage 2. It would be an upset for NAVI and Team Liquid to crash out before Stage 3, and one can never count out the French squad 3DMAX.
We went with NIP as our final Pick’Ems prediction for Stage 2, above M80. Consider the NIP over M80 (or Fnatic, for that matter) as our bold prediction.
Please note: There is no guarantee that these Pick’Ems will be accurate. Copy us at your own risk, or go with your gut and make the predictions that you feel most comfortable with.
The StarLadder Budapest Major continues on November 29 with the opening Stage 2 matches.
Watch all the top-tier CS2 esports action live via the tournament organizer’s Twitch, YouTube, and Kick channels. Hopefully, the broadcast issues that marred the first day of competition won’t return.
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