IEM Katowice Play-In Betting Preview – Picks & Predictions
The stakes at the IEM Katowice Play-In are clear as only the top 8 teams can move on to the Group Stage. In this betting preview, we’re discussing our picks for who we think will move on to the next competition stage based on betting odds and recent performances.
IEM Katowice Play-In – Outright Odds
For the IEM Katowice Play-In, we’ll be using the outright tournament CS2 odds but only listing teams competing in this first leg of the competition.
Accordingly, here’s how esports betting sites rank the teams competing in the IEM Katowice Play-In:
| IEM Katowice Play-In Teams | Tournament Outright Odds |
|---|---|
| Team Liquid | 19.0/+1800 |
| Eternal Fire | 21.0/+2000 |
| Virtus.pro | 26.0/+2500 |
| Astralis | 34.0/+3300 |
| FURIA Esports | 51.0/+5000 |
| HEROIC | 51.0/+5000 |
| paiN Gaming | 76.0/+7500 |
| MIBR | 101.0/+10000 |
| 3DMAX | 101.0/+10000 |
| GamerLegion | 151.0/+15000 |
| BIG | 151.0/+15000 |
| Complexity Gaming | 251.0/+25000 |
| SAW | 251.0/+25000 |
| Wildcard | 501.0/+50000 |
| FlyQuest | 501.0/+50000 |
| Imperial Female | 999.0/+99800 |
Using these GG.Bet odds and recent performances, let’s list out some of the teams that we think are favoured.
Team Liquid – Overcoming Recent Troubles
It’s true, Team Liquid has fallen off the map. Last year in July a triple signing wasn’t enough and now the roster has just signed the likes of Guy “NertZ” Iluz from HEROIC.
However, after finishing 9-16th at the BLAST Bounty Spring 2025: Closed Qualifier, there are concerns that this roster won’t bounce back despite a promising 5-8th finish at the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024.
While Liquid is favoured to make it to the next stage of competition, they likely won’t manage to keep up with the better teams based on CS2 betting odds.
Eternal Fire – IEM Katowice Play-In
Overall, Eternal Fire is one of the most inconsistent teams out there with massive potential. Back in August 2024, the team went back-to-back at ESL Pro League Season 20 and BetBoom Dacha Belgrade with 2nd-place finishes.
Yet, since then, the team has suffered a poor run of form, finishing 9-12th at IEM Rio and failing to qualify for the Perfect World Shanghai Major. Recently though, after a new signing in January, the team finished 1st-8th at the BLAST Bounty Spring Closed Qualifier and aspires to rank high in CS2 predictions.
Virtus.pro – Underperforming Lately
Back in the day, Denis “electroNic” Sharipov was part of a dominant Natus Vincere team that simply couldn’t stop winning. Now, on this Natus Vincere side, winning is not really in the conversation.
Despite the team signing two more players at the end of last year, Virtus.pro only managed to muster a 9-16th place finish at the BLAST Bounty Spring Closed Qualifier. While they aren’t the best side, there is potential in this roster due to the veteran experience.
IEM Katowice Play-In – Honorable Mentions
Beyond those three teams, some favourites to consider include:
- Astralis
- FURIA
- HEROIC
- paiN gAMING
