TI 2023 Opening Matches Betting Preview – Tundra vs TSM & More
With the Groups revealed for The International, the TI 2023 opening matches are only hours away. Considering the odds available, we’ve gathered everything you need to know in our TI 2023 Opening Matches betting preview – featuring Tundra vs TSM!
TI 2023 Opening Matches – Betting Sites
Although we’ll be sourcing our odds for this betting preview from one esports betting site, that shouldn’t stop you from considering other Dota 2 TI betting sites:
TI 2023 Opening Matches – Format
The International this year starts with a Group Stage between October 12th and October 15th. Here, twenty teams have been seeded into four groups of five teams for Phase One.
Announced recently, here’s how the Groups look with Dota 2 TI teams:
- A – 9Pandas, Entity, Evil Geniuses, Team SMG, Team Spirit
- B – Azure Ray, BetBoom Team, Shopify Rebellion, Team Liquid, Thunder Awaken
- C – beastcoast, Gaimin Gladiators, LGD Gaming, nouns, Virtus.pro
- D – Keyd Stars, PSG Quest, Talon Esports, TSM, Tundra Esports
In Group Stage Phase One, a single round robin with BO2 is taking place, determining seeding for the next Phase.
Across two days, there are roughly 40 matches scheduled in Group Stage Phase One – we can’t preview each and every one in this Dota 2 The International betting preview.
In this TI 2023 Opening Matches betting preview, we’ll be taking a look at one opening match from each of the four groups, offering insights into who we think will come out on top.
To do so, we’ll be using odds as made publically available at the time of writing by GG.Bet. Learn more about them in our GG.Bet review.
Team Spirit vs 9Pandas – Group A
- Schedule: 12/10 – 19:00 CEST
As the most recent Dota champions having won the DreamLeague Season 21 event and Riyadh Masters, Team Spirit are quite the favourites for TI as per our Dota 2 TI power rankings.
Starting things off, they’re going up against their Eastern European rivals, 9Pandas. Although all season long, 9Pandas has claimed more regional victories, Team Spirit’s recent rise in form is undeniable.
Despite this, the outright odds here favour a draw more than a Team Spirit win thanks to the history between these teams.
- Predictions: Team Spirit (1-1) 9Pandas
- Odds: Team Spirit Outright Win (+119), 9Pandas Outright Win (+488), Draw (+111)
- Betting Site: GG.Bet
Team Liquid vs BETBOOM TEAM – Group B
- Schedule: 12/10 – 23:00 CEST
All year long, Team Liquid’s WEU talented roster has placed second at almost every single event. As you can imagine, this would make them strong favourites for TI.
However, Team Liquid’s performance recently has tapered off, such as at DreamLeague Season 21 where they placed in a puzzling 9-10th place.
One team which managed to outplace them at this event was BETBOOM Team, a tough Eastern Europe side.
Yet, we can’t simply refute Team Liquid’s claim at TI this year – the esports odds paint up another draw here.
- Predictions: Team Liquid (1-1) BETBOOM Team
- Odds: Team Liquid Outright Win (+239), BETBOOM Team Outright Win (+245), Draw (-106)
- Betting Site: GG.Bet
LGD Gaming vs Gaimin Gladiators – Group C
- Schedule: 12/10 – 19:00 CEST
Similar to Team Liquid, Gaimin Gladiators have dominated all season long but recently faltered at a couple of events leading up to The International.
Their opponent in the opening match is a curious LGD Gaming side, one which has historically performed incredibly well at The International. While this year their roster doesn’t look as strong, they remain a threat in the TI standings.
While the esports odds do lean towards a draw, we’d lean more on Gaimin Gladiators opening things up with a win.
- Predictions: LGD Gaming (0-2) Gaimin Gladiators
- Odds: LGD Gaming Outright Win (+443), Gaimin Gladiators Outright Win (+132), Draw (+106)
- Betting Site: GG.Bet
Tundra vs TSM – Group D
- Schedule: 12/10 – 19:00 CEST
Wrapping up our TI 2023 Opening matches betting preview is the most one-sided affair.
Specifically, even though they’ve had a recent roster change, Tundra are favoured to win their opening match-up against NA’s TSM.
For those unaware, Tundra are defending the Aegis of Champions after winning it last year – this being one of the many regions they look to win this match against TSM.
- Predictions: Tundra (2-0) TSM
- Odds: Tundra Outright Win (-119), TSM Outright Win (+677), Draw (+132)
- Betting Site: GG.Bet