ESL Pro League Season 23 Playoffs betting predictions – Friday, March 13

ESL Pro League Season 23 enters the playoff stage on Friday, March 13, with the opening four quarterfinal fixtures, when the world’s eight best Counter-Strike 2 teams will begin their climb towards the coveted trophy.

The first round of the knockout stage will serve us with a set of exciting affairs, as The MongolZ clash with Natus Vincere, followed by a match between Legacy and Aurora Gaming, FUT Esports taking on MOUZ, and finishing with a match between Astralis and Team Spirit.

Esportbet brings you free CS2 betting picks and predictions for the four games, with esports odds from the best esports bookmakers.

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THE MONGOLZ vs NATUS VINCERE

The MongolZ made it through the Swiss Stage with an impressive 3-1 record, while Natus Vincere had to play all five games to edge out three wins. Those records, however, do not mean much, as both squads have had fairly easy schedules.

MongolZ bested paiN Gaming, Aurora Gaming, and 3DMAX, while Natus Vincere defeated Monte, B8, and 3DMAX – none of whom reached the playoffs.

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  The bookies' bookie

NAVI and MongolZ last met during PGL Cluj-Napoca in February, when MongolZ won 2-1. Both teams have since played seven games and won four.

There is little to separate Natus Vincere and The MongolZ, but in a best-of-three series, it is hard not to side with NAVI. They are more experienced, have a deeper map pool, and Drin “makazze” Shaqiri, who is one of the tournament’s highest-rated players.

LEGACY vs AURORA GAMING

Legacy turned many heads by reaching the ESL Pro League Season 23 playoffs, but they earned it. After topping the first Swiss Stage, Legacy defeated Monte, Astralis, and Natus Vincere, sweeping all three without any issues.

Despite three promising victories, Legacy also suffered a loss against Aurora Gaming in the first round.

So, it comes as no surprise that the best CS2 betting sites have Aurora priced as favorites to defeat the Brazilian outfit again.

However, the final score does not show the whole picture. The last clash between Legacy and Aurora was very close, with two maps extending into overtime.

Since that clash, Aurora Gaming lost to MongolZ and defeated paiN Gaming and G2 Esports, but did not look convincing in their wins.

Even though Aurora won the last clash with Legacy, it could’ve gone either way. Legacy at plus money are an easy pick.

MOUZ vs FUT ESPORTS

MOUZ finished the second Swiss Stage with victories against HEROIC, Astralis, and The MongolZ. Meanwhile, FUT Esports secured a playoff invite with victories against HEROIC, B8, and G2 Esports, whom they reverse-swept in round five.

FUT Esports far exceeded expectations by reaching the knockout stage, but they’ve gotten the worst possible opponent. Even though MOUZ are known to slip in the final stretch of big events, this is one of the most consistent and experienced LAN teams in the world.

Anything less than a 2-0 sweep of MOUZ will be a major disappointment.

ASTRALIS vs TEAM SPIRIT

Astralis fought their way through the Swiss Stage by beating FUT Esports, FaZe Clan, and FURIA, which is no small feat.

However, given how poorly FURIA and FaZe have been performing this tournament, Astralis’ victories should be taken with a grain of salt.

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Team Spirit topped the second Swiss Stage with victories against 3DMAX, B8, and G2 Esports. Besides the one lost map against B8, Spirit have looked excellent, especially Danil “donk” Kryshkovets and Dmitriy “sh1ro” Sokolov, who enter the playoffs as the second and third-highest rated players of the tournament.

Astralis have not placed higher than top six in a big event since May 2025, and this is unlikely to change. Team Spirit seem to have found their long-lost form and are too tough an opponent for Astralis to overcome.