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ESL Professional League Season 18 is upon us, with over a month of high quality CS:GO aggressive matches to be performed. Some felt that it could possibly be the first-ever Counter-Strike 2 LAN event, however now evidently it is going to be the last-ever aggressive CS:GO event, making the stakes greater than ever.
Whereas ESL Professional League Commissioner Alex Inglot feels CS2 received’t be a monumental change for the scene, that doesn’t change the will to emerge the winners of such an occasion.
With 4 Teams in whole, there’s lots to debate. With out additional ado, right here’s the whole lot you’ll want to know earlier than ESL Professional League Season 18.
Credit score: ESL | Picture modified by Daniel Morris
Group A
Up first is Group A of ESL Professional League Season 18. The openers kick off as we speak, With Astralis vs. NIP the sport to look at. Of the groups collaborating right here, Vitality are the clear favorites. That mentioned, we count on Astralis to make a powerful run in Group A, and will even come out as winners in the event that they proceed their kind from IEM Cologne 2023. Pre-tournament, we spoke to Astralis’ Buzz, who felt a deep run would characterize good progress right here.
- Group Vitality
- ORKS
- Astralis
- Ninjas in Pyjamas
- FURIA
- Movistar Riders
- Grayhound
- GamerLegion
We wish to put some deal with FURIA, too. Since including FalleN and chelo to the roster, issues haven’t fairly clicked but. We’re nonetheless holding out hope that there’s an actual spark with this Brazilian roster simply ready to blow up.
Right here’s the schedule for the openers of Group A:
Credit score: ESL
Group B
After Group A reaches its conclusion, we transfer straight to Group B starting September sixth. We don’t foresee too many surprises right here. Heroic ought to beat Rooster, and Monte, MOUZ, and ENCE ought to win their video games too. CS:GO aggressive matches have confirmed to be unpredictable these days, so who is aware of for positive? If we’re being trustworthy, it’s tough to look previous Heroic and ENCE as favorites to qualify. They’re two of the most effective CS:GO groups proper now, that includes on reverse sides of the bracket.
- Heroic
- Rooster
- BIG
- Monte
- MOUZ
- MIBR
- Evil Geniuses
- ENCE
We’ve acquired one eye on BIG. Though we count on Monte to beat the German staff, they did win the current CCT North Europe Collection 7 (in opposition to Monte!), in order that they’re in good kind. LAN is a distinct beast to on-line, in order that they’ll want to hold that kind over.
From September sixth, listed below are the primary matches in Group B of ESL Professional League Season 18:
Credit score: ESL
Group C
One other week later, we get Group C, which has one very attention-grabbing prospect. FaZe Clan and NAVI are clear favorites, with the opposite groups displaying little lately that they will overcome the standard distinction.
We’re inquisitive about M80, although. Extra recognized for its actions in Valorant, Rocket League, and Rainbow Six Siege, the group entered CS:GO two months in the past, selecting up some superb NA prospects within the course of. That is their first huge LAN, so it’s an enormous alternative to make a splash within the scene.
- FaZe Clan
- 9z Group
- Imperial
- Fnatic
- Apeks
- M80
- 5yclone
- NAVI
These are the matches in Group C, starting September thirteenth:
Credit score: ESL
Group D
ESL Professional League Season 18’s Group Stage concludes with Group D, starting September twentieth. That is positively a tighter Group, with loads of nice groups. Realistically, you possibly can see any of Cloud9, Liquid, Virtus.professional, or G2 successful Group D. If we’re selecting one – it’s G2. There’s no purpose to suppose their kind will drop off, so they need to have sufficient to see them by.
- Cloud9
- Everlasting Hearth
- Complexity
- 9INE
- Group Liquid
- Virtus.professional
- Lynn Imaginative and prescient
- G2
Particular point out to Liquid, who might be seeking to lastly make its mark with the European roster. Total although, we expect it’ll be Cloud9 becoming a member of G2. There’s merely an excessive amount of firepower there to guess in opposition to them.
Virtus.professional additionally represents an attention-grabbing choice. With Jame on the helm, they proceed to unashamedly play their very own passive competitive CS:GO, dictating the tempo of aggressive matches. They gave an excellent displaying at Gamers8, and lately completed runners-up on the PARI Dunav Get together 2023 LAN. You’d by no means see them as favorites, however be careful for Virtus.professional.
Right here’s what to anticipate when Group D begins in late September:
Credit score: ESL
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