Dota 2 ESL One CIS Online Season 1 Top Picks
Published: Feb 14, 2021 - Last Updated: Jul 11, 2023
With the ESL One CIS Season 1 in full swing, we’re getting a clearer picture of which times will have a chance to compete at the upcoming Major, and which teams will have to fight for survival until the bitter end.
As expected, Virtus Pro and Natus Vincere have emerged as the CIS region’s frontrunners for the title. On the other hand, most of the other teams are neck and neck as some will battle it out for third place and the Major Wild Card, while others fight for survival in the CIS region’s Dota 2 top flight.
With the season slowly approaching drawing to a close, let’s take a look at some of our top picks for the ESL One CIS Season!
AS Monaco Gambit vs. Natus Vincere
Na’Vi has asserted its dominance in the scene, with only Virtus Pro looking on even ground with the rejuvenated Ukrainian team. The team went well above and beyond the call of duty, only dropping one map in their series against EXTREMUM so far.
Gambit on the other hand started the season under the Live to Win moniker before getting picked up by the Russian organization. Although LtW did emerge as the frontrunners of the “best of the rest”, the team incorporates a feast or famine that has come back to haunt them in their series against Team Spirit.
Although Na’Vi is the better team, don’t expect Gambit to go down without a fight.
Pick: Total Maps | Over 2.5 |
Odds: 2.29
Betting Site: GG.bet
Virtus Pro vs. Team Spirit
Virtus Pro is definitely looking like the best team in the region. The team has yet to drop a map against any opponent, as the young team is proving that their victory at EPIC League was not just a fluke. Virtus Pro is quite frankly, a step above the rest (excluding Na’Vi) in the region.
Team Spirit is a team in contention for the Wild Card spot, and are looking like the frontrunners for it, but are still stuck in the middle of the pack after their loss versus Empire. All in all, Team Spirit has nothing to look forward in this match-up, as Virtus Pro aim to continue their streak of clean sweeps.
Pick: Under 94.5 Kills
Odds: 2.06
Betting Site: GG.bet
EXTREMUM vs. Team Empire
Team Empire is fighting for survival in the CIS top flight, while EXTREMUM still has a lingering hope for that Wild Card spot. Although Team Empire did pull off an upset against Spirit, the team had a nightmare schedule during which they faced off against both VP and Na’Vi. EXTREMUM had a relatively similar schedule to Empire, ultimately coming out with a single win more than their opponents.
Heading into the series, both teams are more evenly matched up than the odds would suggest, leaving place for more than just a good value bet.
Pick: Team Empire
Odds: 2.43
Betting Site: GG.bet
Natus Vincere vs. Team Spirit
The series will be make-or-break for Spirit in their quest for third place, but their losses versus Empire and NoTechies just might come back to haunt them. Na’Vi need this victory in their battle for first place and are simply the better team.
Heading into the matchup, expect Spirit to put up a good fight, but they stand next to no chance against the CIS juggernaut that is Na’Vi.
Pick: Total Maps | Over 2.5
Odds: 2.38
Betting Site: GG.bet
Virtus Pro vs. Natus Vincere
The CIS El Classico will feature two of the region’s best teams face off against each other in the final game of the Group Stage. The match will almost certainly decide the winner of the Upper Division, and the team that qualifies directly for the Major Playoffs. Although Virtus Pro is the favorite heading into the matchup, Na’Vi have shown they know how to play (and beat) against top teams.
Virtus Pro is looking like a well-oiled machine, but if Na’Vi show just a hint of form from the OGA Dota Pit, this is looking like an even matchup.
Pick: Natus Vincere
Odds: 3.68
Betting Site: GG.bet
Find out more in our GG.bet Review.
