ESL Pro League Stage 2 Betting Preview – Set in Stone?
The best teams from Stage 1 join the rest of the ESL Pro League Stage 2 competition. Moreover, in this betting preview, we’re taking a look at the outright odds and team performances while offering our predictions. Let’s see who is heading to the ESL Pro League Playoffs.
Can Stage 1 Teams Defy the Odds?
This is the first time that the ESL Pro League is using this CS2 tournament format, where half the teams from Stage 2 earn their spot from Stage 1.
Accordingly, all the high-seeded teams have patiently waited for the first Stage to conclude. Moreover, Stage 2 teams are statistically CS2 betting favourites based on seeding alone – but is that enough to disregard the momentum from certain Stage 1 teams?
Perhaps the following Stage 1 teams could force an upset:
- GamerLegion – making two signings in January, this GamerLegion roster has tried to compete with the best with relatively average results. After a dismal showing at the BLAST Bounty Spring to miss out on the main event, their 7-8th finish at IEM Katowice 2025 was very promising. However, at this tournament they only beat SAW and paiN Gaming – other Tier 2 teams. Although undefeated in Stage 1, it’ll be tough for them to make it to Stage 2.
- SAW – similar to GL, SAW also made recent changes ahead of finishing 3-0 in Stage 1 of the ESL Pro League. Also like GL, they recently finished an impressive 5-8th at PGL Cluj-Napoca, but they only ever beat out other Tier 2 teams at the event.
Which ESL Pro League Stage 2 Teams Will Slip?
As a reminder, the direct seeds for EPL Stage 2 were G2, Spirit, MongolZ, Vitality, MOUZ, Natus Vincere, Falcons and Liquid.
Of note, at the most recent international PGL Cluj-Napoca, the majority of these teams did not compete and is worth noting for your CS2 predictions.
Which of these teams is the most likely not to make it to the Playoffs?
- Team Liquid – earning a direct seed after a 5-8th place finish at Perfect World Shanghai Major, Liquid hasn’t been so convincing recently. Specifically, after finishing 9-16th at the BLAST Bounty Spring Qualifier and 9-12th at IEM Katowice 2025, there is plenty to criticize about this roster. At Katowice, they lost matches to HEROIC and The MongolZ.
- Falcons – besides a 2nd place finish at PGL Cluj-Napoca (where most of the best teams didn’t attend), Falcons don’t have much to show for their efforts. Finishing 13-16th at IEM Katowice 2025 after missing out on the Perfect World Shanghai Major thanks to a dismal qualifier performance, this is a Tier 2 side.
- MOUZ – just like Falcons, MOUZ had a great PGL Cluj-Napoca winning the tournament after losing 13-16th at IEM Katowice. Compared to Falcons though, we favour them considering their 3-4th finish at Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 last season.
However, it’s important to note that the scheduling for the ESL Pro League Stage 2 will heavily influence teams’ chances of moving on. For example, the opening match between Team Falcons and Team Liquid is a hot game while Spirit vs TYLOO is hugely one-sided. As we progress into Round 2-4, matches will play a significant role.
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