IEM Katowice 2022 Playoffs betting predictions | 25/2 Preview

Esportbet brings you free Counter-Strike: Global Offensive betting picks for a pair of Intel Extreme Masters Katowice 2022 playoff matches on Friday, February 25. Here are our selections for Virtus.pro vs G2 Esports and FaZe Clan vs Gambit Esports, with odds courtesy of GG.Bet.

G2 Esports had a rough start to the tournament, with a devastating defeat against Fnatic, who beat them 2-16 on Nuke, 16-7 on Mirage, and 16-11 on Inferno. But G2 found some traction in the lower bracket, where they made it past Team Liquid (2-0), FURIA Esports (2-1), and Astralis (2-1), to secure a spot in the playoffs.

Although G2 Esports deserved to win all those games, their showings weren’t too convincing, so we wouldn’t put too much weight on their three-game winning streak. Furthermore, it’s not like G2 won against any notable opponents.

Virtus.pro got stomped by Heroic (0-2) on Sunday, which isn’t a good look for them, but they have played well against Ninjas in Pyjamas (2-1) and Copenhagen Flames (2-0), so it’s hard to overreact to VP’s defeat against one of the leading candidates to hoist the trophy.

Virtus.pro have played only against two weak teams and one of the top dogs of the tournament, so it’s hard to take much from their past games. Still, the same goes for G2, who have been winning games but only against weaker teams. G2 Esports might look a bit stronger on paper, but the offered CS:GO betting odds underestimate the Russian squad.

Despite missing Robin “ropz” Kool for the earlier rounds of the tournament and then having to play without Håvard “rain” Nygaard on stage, FaZe Clan made it into the playoffs. They were a bit shaky at the start with two close series against Team Liquid and Fnatic, but FaZe stepped it up in the final match of Group B, where they nearly won against Natus Vincere.

Admittedly, this is still an unpredictable team that can look good one day and underperform the next, but it’s hard not to be excited about a squad that nearly won against the reigning Major champions. In contrast, Gambit Esports have looked far more stable this tournament but have yet to produce any notable results.

After losing to Ninjas in Pyjamas (1-2) in the tournament opener, Gambit found some momentum to make it past Copenhagen Flames (2-1), Team Vitality (2-0) and NiP (2-0) in the decider match. So while Gambit’s record looks cleaner, they have not shown as much as FaZe.

We are still giving Gambit a slight edge, and we wouldn’t be surprised if they win, but there is no reason to bet on them at $1.60. We expect a competitive series with all three maps played.