PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 Swiss Stage Day 1 tips – Sunday, October 26

PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 kicks off on Sunday, October 26, with the first round of Swiss Stage bouts. Featuring 16 Counter-Strike 2 teams, the Romanian tournament will kick off with eight best-of-three fixtures, with these offering several betting opportunities to explore.

Esportbet brings you free Counter-Strike 2 PGL Masters Bucharest previews and betting predictions for the opening round of action, with odds courtesy of the top esports betting sites.

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LEGACY vs TEAM LIQUID

Best Odds: Legacy +110 at BetOnline | TL -151.52 at BetOnline
When: October 26, 2025 | 10:00 EEST
Watch Live: Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/PGL)

Legacy will look to build on their success at the CS Asia Championships 2025 and add another big event trophy to their resume. Their PGL Masters Bucharest campaign, however, starts with a familiar matchup as the Brazilian squad face Team Liquid.

These two teams met just a week ago, in the CS Asia Championships group stage, when Legacy won in three maps. They have since edged past FUT Esports and added two more victories against HEROIC and 3DMAX.

While the last clash was competitive, there is no reason for Liquid to be priced as favorites. Even though they have a high ceiling, Liquid failed to defeat Legacy last week, and it is unlikely that will change on Sunday.

PAIN GAMING vs GENTLE MATES

Best Odds: paiN -125 at BetOnline | M8 -111.11 at BetOnline
When: October 26, 2025 | 10:00 EEST
Watch Live: Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/PGL)

PaiN Gaming travel to Romania after a rough showing at the CS Asia Championships, where they placed ninth-12^th. However, the Brazilian outfit had a solid run at FISSURE Playground #2 (fifth-eighth) last month, so it could just be a case of one bad tournament.

Gentle Mates made some noise at ESL Pro League Season 22 (12^th-14^th), and they reached semifinals of Galaxy Battle // Phase 4 at the start of the month. However, while M8 turned heads with their victories over Vitality, Legacy, G2 Esports, and HEROIC, they have not performed as well in their recent outings against Apogee Esports and PARIVISION.

PaiN Gaming at -125 are an excellent bet.

GAMERLEGION vs FLYQUEST

Best Odds: GL -250 at BetOnline | FLY +175 at BetOnline
When: October 26, 2025 | 13:00 EEST
Watch Live: Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/PGL)

FlyQuest have not appeared in a single tournament since DraculaN #2 in September. And even their last competitive endeavor ended with a painful seventh-eight place finish despite the event not featuring any top-tier teams.

GamerLegion have yet to win a tournament this season, but they’ve also been participating in only A- and S-Tier events since February. This should better prepare GL for a weaker field, but it does not take away from their losses against Team Liquid and Lynn Vision Gaming in Shanghai.

GamerLegion can be resilient outsiders, but as favorites, they are not an appealing pick. Expect a close game.

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HEROIC vs NINJAS IN PYJAMAS

Best Odds: Heroic -111.11 at BetOnline | NiP -112.36 at SportsBetting
When: October 26, 2025 | 13:00 EEST
Watch Live: Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/PGL)

HEROIC and Ninjas in Pyjamas are expected to produce a competitive affair on Sunday. Considering their recent results, that makes sense.

Ninjas in Pyjamas have recently won a silver medal from StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025, marking their most notable tournament placement of the year. HEROIC have also had their moment at the CS Asia Championships, where they finished fourth.

Qualitatively, there is not much to separate the two squads, and their map pools do not overlap. As the latest betting odds suggest, this will be a close match.

3DMAX vs SAW

Best Odds: 3DMAX -333.33 at BetOnline | SAW +240 at BetOnline
When: October 26, 2025 | 16:00 EEST
Watch Live: Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/PGL)

3DMAX are one of the main favorites to hoist the PGL Masters trophy. They have shown solid form over the last month, reaching the ESL Pro League playoffs and the CS Asia Championships grand finals.

While they have not been the most consistent team, 3DMAX are 6-4 from their last five – with losses to MOUZ, Team Falcons, and Legacy (twice).

SAW have not featured in a Tier-1 tournament since FISSURE Playground #1 when they reached the semifinals. Since then, they have attended several second-tier events but have not found much success, winning only one title at the Roman Imperium Cup II.

SAW have slowed down a lot and are rightly priced as underdogs. A 2-0 sweep for 3DMAX is a real possibility.

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BETBOOM TEAM vs MIBR

Best Odds: BB Team -400 at SportsBetting | MiBR +275 at BetOnline
When: October 26, 2025 | 16:00 EEST
Watch Live: Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/PGL)

BetBoom Team travel to Bucharest in excellent form. They have placed top-two in five of the last seven tournaments, which includes a gold medal from Exort The Proving Grounds Season 5 at the start of the month. Likewise, MIBR have been on a tear since September, with three tournament titles, albeit they slipped at CS Asia Championships with a ninth-12^th place finish.

The best Counter-Strike 2 betting sites have BB Team priced as favorites, which does not sound wrong, but not at this price. MIBR have proven they have what it takes to succeed at this level of play and are a solid bet to win at least one map.

AURORA GAMING vs FNATIC

Best Odds: Aurora -250 at BetOnline | FNC +175 at SportsBetting
When: October 26, 2025 | 19:00 EEST
Watch Live: Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/PGL)

Aurora Gaming are clear favourites to win PGL Masters Bucharest and for all the right reasons. They are the highest-rated team at the event and fresh off a solid display at Thunderpick World Championship (4^th), following a short, but promising run at ESL Pro League Season 22.

Fnatic also had some success this month, with a top-six finish at CS Asia Championships. However, they have been fairly mediocre this season, and the recent roster changes do not do them any favors.

Aurora to sweep at +150 is worth a look.

ASTRALIS vs B8

Best Odds: AST -175.44 at SportsBetting | B8 +125 at SportsBetting
When: October 26, 2025 | 16:00 EEST
Watch Live: Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/PGL)

Astralis are priced very generously to take down B8. Even though they have not won a tournament since RES Showdown Spring 2025, they have been competing exclusively in top-tier tournaments for the entire second half of the season.

This alone should prepare them to take on lower-rated squads such as B8, who’ve looked toothless at the ESL Pro League and CS Asia Championships earlier this month.

While B8 are resilient and can steal maps, this is Astralis’ game to lose.

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