The PGL Major Antwerp 2022 starts tomorrow with the Challengers Stage. A total of sixteen teams will compete over the course of the next four days in the chaotic Swiss Style Format, with only the top eight teams advancing to the next round. Almost all of the matches, save for the advancement and elimination ones, will be played in a Bo1 format, leaving space for more than just a few upsets as the tournament progresses.
Aside from the format and packed schedule, the sheer discrepancy between the teams competing should give us some exciting CS:GO action. During the Challengers stage, regional hopefuls like the Mongolian side of IHC Esports or the Uruguayan side of 9z Team will have a chance to face off against the likes of G2 Esports, Astralis, and Team Vitality.
Underdog victories like that have become the stuff of legends in the CS:GO scene, and the Bo1 format gives by far the best chance of them occurring.
As a follow-up to our PGL Major Antwerp 2022 Betting Guide our Challengers Predictions will be focusing on the inaugural stage of the tournament. The respective team’s current form, overall gameplay tactics, map pool, and individual player prowess will play a huge role in our picks. Apart from the overall clear-cut picks, when it comes to CS:GO betting we too will be looking for underdog upsets that will give you the best return on your wager.
PGL Major Antwerp 2022 Day 1 Predictions
For the opening day of the tournament, we’ve got a total of eight matches. The biggest story of the tournament so far – Bad News Eagles will face off against Eternal Fire in their opening match. IHC Esports and 9z Team will have some tall tasks in front of them as they face off against Astralis and ENCE respectively. The Brazillian Imperial Esports will open up against Team Spirit in a close affair, while MIBR will be entering its match against the Outsiders as the underdogs.
In two of the most high-profile matches we’ve got the two French teams leading the charge. While G2 Esports will open their tournament with a match against Team Liquid, Team Vitality will have a tough opponent in the form of Complexity Gaming.
Bad News Eagles vs. Eternal Fire
All eyes are on the Albanian side of Bad News Eagles as the team will be looking to justify their Challengers seed. Their first obstacle will come in the form of Eternal Fire, a respectable Turkish team that is right on their level. The odds definitely do reflect that, as the Eagles are only slight favorites heading into the matchup.
From a psychological standpoint, the Eagles look to be a team that strives under pressure, while the same could not be said for Eternal Fire. Taking into account current form and pure talent, the Eagles are looking to be a step ahead of their opponents. But the one thing they’re lacking is experience when compared to the Turkish roster.
Expect this game to be a close affair, as Eternal Fire does have the tools to slow down the Eagles. In this matchup, we’re looking towards a relatively high total number of rounds as both teams are looking to be fairly even.
Prediction: First Map | Total Rounds | Over 26.5
Odds: 1.83
Bookmaker: GGBET
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G2 Esports vs. Team Liquid
In the highlight match of the day, we’ve got the French powerhouse of G2 up against the rejuvenated Team Liquid. Both teams have seen a sharp decrease in form as of late, which especially goes for G2.
While the Bosnian duo of NiKo and huNter- have been fragging, as usual, m0NESY’s decrease in form for the last couple of months has taken a toll on their results. Liquid on the other hand is still in the process of climbing the regional ladder but is looking like a potential standout team from North America.
Although G2 Esports is heavily favored heading into this matchup, we are leaning more towards Liquid pulling off a surprise upset.
Pick: Team Liquid
Odds: 2.74
Bookmaker: GGBET
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PGL Major Antwerp 2022 Day 2 Predictions
While the first day of PGL Major Antwerp 2022 went by without any stunning upsets, things are slowly getting more serious as certain teams are looking down the barrel of potential elimination.
A total of four teams will have their fate sealed during just the second day of competition. In the advancement matches, we’ve got Team Vitality facing off against forZe and ENCE playing against G2 Esports for the first two spots in the next stage.
On the other hand, we’ve got four teams potentially on the chopping block as they battle for their tournament lives. Team Liquid will be looking for a chance to fight another day in their series against 9z Team while Renegades and IHC Esports will be looking to prolong their tournament lives to day three at the very least.
Renegades vs. IHC Esports
Heading into this series we’ve got two of arguably the tournament’s weakest teams in a struggle for survival. Both teams have looked out of their depth in their previous matches and for once seemingly have a fighting chance heading into the series.
Although IHC Esports is the favored team, we’re giving Renegades the nod in this match. While both teams got utterly demolished in the inaugural matches, they look to be evenly matched. While IHC Esports is looking to be better by a hair skill-wise, Renegades should have the advantage in overall team play.
With almost nothing to separate the teams, we’re going for the value bet potential on Renegades.
Pick: Renegades
Odds: 2.44
Bookmaker: GGBET
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PGL Major Antwerp 2022 Day 3 Predictions
The end of the second day of the PGL Major Antwerp 2022 saw both Renegades and 9z Team eliminated from the tournament. On the other hand, both of the French powerhouses have already secured themselves a spot in the next stage. Both G2 Esports and Team Vitality came out ahead in their advancement matches, beating ENCE and forZe respectively.
Things have started to heat up as we head into the third day of the competition. Both forZe and ENCE will have their shot at redemption against Outsiders and Bad News Eagles. Both of the Brazillian teams (MIBR and Imperial Esports) have found themselves in a tough situation as they fight for their tournament lives.
It should be noted that all of the matches from now on will be played as Bo3s.
Imperial Esports vs. IHC Esports
It’s safe to say that Imperial Esports has underwhelmed so far in the tournament. Despite avoiding the strongest teams on the ladder, losses to Team Spirit and Bad News Eagles have found Imperial staring down the barrel of elimination.
IHC Esports’ victory over Renegades has given them a chance to fight another day, but in comparison to Imperial, they are looking completely outclassed. Their experience on the international stage has shown during their first two matches, a trait that Imperial has in an abundance.
Imperial is heading into the match as the absolute favorites and will be looking to regain some momentum against IHC before the final day. Simply put, we expect a clean and easy victory for Imperial.
Prediction: Imperial Esports To Win 2:0
Odds: 2.10
Bookmaker: GGBET
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Complexity Gaming vs. Team Liquid
It’s a tough time for NA Counter-Strike seeing as one of their hopefuls will be sent home after this series. Both teams have had a disastrous tournament so far, and have found themselves in their current predicament with good reason.
Liquid is the heavy favorite heading into the series, but the teams are looking far more even than the odds suggest. Both teams have claimed a victory each in their past two outings this year, albeit Liquid did that in a Bo3 compared to Complexity’s Bo1.
While Liquid is still the slight favorite in our eyes, the potential returns on a Complexity victory make this a very good value bet. We’re leaning towards a Complexity upset in this case.
Pick: Complexity Gaming
Odds: 3.13
Bookmaker: GGBET
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