Imperial – Fnatic

CS:GO - ESL Pro League Group C

In my opinion, Fnatic should have a clear advantage over the Brazilian team in the first match of the EPL group, and here's why.

Firstly, there is a significant difference in skill level. This Imperial lineup has been together for quite some time but hasn't displayed noteworthy results. Over nearly two months, their only notable performance was in Cologne, where they struggled to secure victories, particularly against the Australian teams. I don't hold high expectations for them, and I believe they will likely remain at a tier 3/tier 2.5 level. Typically, South American teams focus on recruiting based on individual skills, but in this case, there isn't much that stands out. While players like Boltz and Felps once excelled and won numerous tournaments, this was back in 2018—a considerable amount of time ago. Since then, these players have shown limited progress, relying mainly on their reputations. Teams like Fluxo and Boom, in my view, were just pale imitations of what these players used to be. I believe this composition will continue that trend—a continuation of their esports career but not a resurgence.

Now, let's talk about Fnatic—I'm quite fond of this team! They started their journey very actively, with an impressive performance in Cologne, a significant and prestigious tournament. Victories over the newly hyped C9 lineup and the strong Polish team 9INE have instilled confidence in this roster. While they certainly have areas to improve, I see significant potential here for them to establish themselves as a solid tier 2 team and maintain a foothold at this level. They possess the necessary individual skills, extensive experience, and innovative ideas. If they put in the hard work, there's undoubtedly a bright future ahead for this team.

In summary, the Brazilian team appears to be the weaker side. I'm not even certain they'll manage to win a map in this matchup; it's just an additional consideration.