One of the biggest Finnish LAN Events is upon us, so don’t miss our Elisa Masters Espoo 2022 CS:GO Betting Predictions analysis. The event will feature twelve teams battling it out for a slice of the $200,000 prize pool. The eventual winners will also receive a coveted spot in the IEM Katowice 2023 Play-In Stage.
Elisa Masters Esproo 2022 will run November 16th – 20th and rest assured, our betting predictions will be updated daily as the tournament unfolds. The tournament is divided into two stages: Groups and Playoffs. All group-stage matches are best-of-ones. Only the top three teams from each group will advance to the Playoffs. The Playoffs, on the other hand, will be a single-elimination bracket format. All Playoff matches will be best-of-threes.
Looking at the twelve participating teams, we’ve got an interesting mixture of established names and regional hopefuls. Astralis, BIG, Fnatic, and ENCE are amongst the biggest favorites. On the other side of the spectrum, we’ve got regional teams such as SAW, HAVU, and 500.
Considering the tournament format and teams participating, we could be in store for more than a couple of upsets. Regional names like Team GamerLegion and Bad News Eagles are on the rise. Both have recently demonstrated that they have what it takes to not only compete with, but also soundly defeat, the world’s top teams. With so much uncertainty up in the air, let’s get straight into the Elisa Masters Espoo betting predictions.
Elisa Masters Espoo 2022 Playoff Predictions
BIG vs. Fnatic
The Grand Finals of the Elisa Masters Espoo 2022 will be a showdown between BIG and Fnatic. The rejuvenated Fnatic squad is slowly getting back into monstrous form and is entering the finals as the heavy favorites. BIG definitely has its own chances, as the German squad should not be counted out by any means. With both teams placing significant importance on teamplay and coordination, this series will definitely be a tactical masterclass. Individually, BIG will be looking at veteran tabseN to deliver them to glory. Fnatic on the other hand should turn to entry fragger roeJ to establish his dominance. Both teams faced off against each other at the Rio Major Quarterfinals, with Fnatic coming out on top.
From the potential map picks, BIG’s Ancient ban and Fnatic’s Dust 2 are most likely the first to go. In comparison to the series at Rio, we could see BIG going for a Nuke pick instead of the Mirage they picked at the Major. Fnatic will most likely go for their Overpass pick, with Mirage looking like the inevitable kicker.
There is huge value bet potential on BIG. Both teams have a good feel for each other, and we expect this series to be a much tougher one than the one at Rio. While we do encourage value bets on BIG, we’re absolutely certain this series will go to three maps.
Prediction: Total Maps | Over 2.5 |
Odds: 1.92
Bookmaker: GGBET
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BIG vs. 500
500 has turned many heads after rampaging its way through the Elisa Masters Espoo Group Stage. As a testament to that stands the Bulgarian squad’s 16-1 dismantling of Astralis. But heading into the Playoffs, they are facing a different beast altogether in the form of BIG. Although the German side didn’t have the cleanest Group Stage ever, they are still the heavy favorites entering the series. While 500 has impressed with their individual play, the teamplay quality still remains on BIG’s side. Individually, BIG will be looking towards tabseN to pull through. The Bulgarian squad on the other hand has two players who are absolutely on fire currently – Rainwaker and SHiPZ.
When it comes down to map preferences, keep in mind that this series is a best-of-three. 500 will most likely be looking to ban Dust 2 and Vertigo. BIG on the other hand will look to go for their staple Anicent ban, followed up with Overpass. BIG’s pick should be Nuke, while 500 are guaranteed to go through with Inferno, leaving Mirage as the kicker.
500 have impressed against some strong teams but should stand no chance against BIG, no matter how shaky the German team is looking. We’re looking towards a clean sweep for BIG, as the organization looks to get back on track through Elisa.
Prediction: BIG To Win | 2:0 |
Odds: 2.80
Bookmaker: GGBET
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Elisa Masters Espoo 2022 Group Stage Predictions
BIG vs. HEET
Looking at the odds, it’s no surprise BIG is coming in as the CS:GO betting favorite. It should be noted that BIG is coming off three straight losses from the Rio Major. The German team will have its shot at redemption against the French side of HEET. While HEET is a step below BIG in terms of overall quality, the team did recently bolster its ranks by bringing in JaCkZ. BIG will be missing its ace player syrsoN, who will miss out on the event entirely due to a positive COVID-19 test. His replacement, academy player s1n, is already familiar with the team, having stood in for faveN during the Rio Major.
Looking at the map preferences, we have to consider that this is a bo1. BIG will surely take Anicent off the board, as well as Inferno and Overpass. HEET on the other hand will be looking to ban Mirage and Nuke. This leaves either Vertigo or Dust 2 as the leftover map. In both cases, we are giving a huge advantage to BIG.
All things considered, this should be nothing more than a day in the office for BIG. The Germans are the more skilled and better-coordinated team between the two. While we’re not expectant a complete stop in BIG’s favor, they should be looking at a relatively comfortable victory. In this case, we’re going with a conservative round handicap, as we expect that BIG ultimately wins in the upper-single digits in round difference.
Prediction: BIG To Win | Round Handicap | -3.5 |
Odds: 2.06
Bookmaker: GGBET
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ENCE vs. HAVU Gaming
In one of the opening matches of Group A we’ve got a showdown between two of the home teams. The top Finnish team, ENCE will face off against the revamped HAVU side which has so far genuinely impressed. Although ENCE is entering the match as the betting favorite, it should be noted that their only victory against the current HAVU roster was a real nail-biter. Looking at the teams’ current form, HAVU is currently riding a five-match win streak. ENCE on the other hand had a somewhat disappointing ending to their Rio Major journey, albeit against much stronger competition. Heading into the match, ENCE will be looking towards AWPer SunPayus to give them an edge, considering the Spaniard’s form as of late. HAVU have their uncrowned ace in the form of veteran player zehN, without overlooking xseveN’s superb streak in the last month.
When it comes to map preferences, ENCE’s first two bans are almost certainly going to be Inferno and Overpass, with Dust 2 looking like the most likely third option. HAVU on the other hand will most likely remove Vertigo, Mirage, and Anicent. All signs are pointing towards a Finnish showdown on Nuke in a repeat of their last match.
Considering how comfortable both teams are on Nuke, this matchup is much closer than the odds tell. The last series on Nuke ended in a 16-13 victory for ENCE. Considering the venue, HAVU’s form, as well as the home crowd, we’re expecting this to be a drawn-out affair. In this case, we’re taking the safer option and wagering that both teams will have rounds in the double-digits.
Prediction: Total Rounds | Over 26.5 |
Odds: 2.00
Bookmaker: Thunderpick
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Bad News Eagles vs. SAW
The Eagles are certainly a team on the rise lately. The Albanian squad has catapulted itself into the upper echelons of CS:GO. It is with good cause that they are entering the match against SAW as the betting favorites. SAW on the other hand is in a position where the Eagles were just a couple of months ago. They are a regional team that dances on the fringes of the Major scene. Quality-wise, it’s the Eagles that are the much better side. When it comes to individual talent, BNE will be looking towards entry fragger juanflatroo who has been the standout player for the team lately. SAW on the other hand has its ace in the form of ewjerkz.
When it comes down to map preferences, BNE is most likely going to take Nuke and Overpass first, with Vertigo looking as their most likely third ban. SAW will first go for their patented Mirage ban, with Dust 2 and Inferno looking like the next choices. Both teams have shown an affinity towards Anicent, which is most likely going to be the battleground in this best-of-one.
Quite frankly, the Eagles should have this one in the bag. Anicent is a map that suits their proactive playstyle better. Their individual talent, as well as gameplay tactics, should overwhelm SAW. We are predicting a BNE victory, by a very large margin.
Prediction: Bad News Eagles To Win | Round Handicap | -3.5 |
Odds: 2.06
Bookmaker: GGBET
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Astralis vs. 500
Astralis fans will be lucky to hear that the Elisa Masters Espoo is also the first event featuring dev1ce back in the starting lineup. The legendary Dane has looked quite sharp in his streams lately, a fact he is certainly going to show in his first foray back. Astralis will be going against 500, a team comprised out of players from the former SKADE roster. While Astralis has been down on their luck lately, they are still two tiers above 500 on any given day. When it comes to individual performance, all eyes are going to be on dev1ce, but it’s blameF who has been the unsung hero for Astralis lately. 500 will be looking towards Rainwaker who although talented, has not shown he is capable of delivering against opponents of Astralis’ level.
The map of choice could prove to be quite a difficult decision, seeing as both teams share roughly the same map pool. Both Astralis and 500 seem deathly allergic to Vertigo and Dust 2, so no matter which team goes first, both maps are going to be off the menu. Depending on the pick order, Astralis will most likely ban Inferno and Overpass. 500 could remove either Nuke or Anicent. Ultimately, either Nuke or Mirage could end up being the map that decides this match.
In any case, the match against 500 should be nothing more than a walk in the park for Astralis. Although the return of dev1ce could prove to be a slight hindrance due to his rust, Astralis is still the better team. We’re predicting a fairly one-sided affair, with Astralis coming out on top.
Prediction: Astralis To Win | Round Handicap -4.5 |
Odds: 2.16
Bookmaker: Thunderpick
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