Counter-Strike’s ESL Pro League is heating up as groups C and D join the fray to see if they have what it takes to make it to the tournament’s next stage. The ESL Pro League (EPL) is a professional esports league that welcomes 24 of the biggest names in CS:GO based on ESL World Ranking, seeding through the ESEA Premier Division and partner status. Only three teams in each group will advance to the play-offs, which will run from 7 September through to the Grand Final on 12 September.
What’s on the line? A share of $750,000 and a spot in the 2021 BLAST Premier: World Final, so let’s get right to it and take a closer look at the teams competing in groups C and D.
ESL PRO LEAGUE SEASON 14 — GROUPS C AND D
Group C is kicking off on 27 August with a matchup between BIG and Evil Geniuses at 13:30 CEST. This group of death features some of the strongest teams in the world, including the #1 Natus Vincere. Na’Vi are favourites to move forward, but they’ll have to successfully defend against other heavy hitters like Evil Geniuses and FaZe Clan. There are no weak links here, which means that all teams in the group have a fighting chance for the top spots. On top of that, Fnatic and BIG are heading in with recent roster changes — let’s see if the adjustments are enough to push the teams on.
GROUP C
BIG
Evil Geniuses
FaZe Clan
Fnatic
Mousesports
Natus Vincere
GROUP D
Entropiq
FURIA Esports
Gambit Esports
Ninjas in Pyjamas
Team Liquid
Team One
Group D is taking the reigns on 1 September at 13:30 CEST, when 2021 IEM World Championship winners Gambit Esports take on Team One in what is, perhaps, the most unequal matchup of the entire tournament — looks like it’ll be an easy win for Gambit. Ninjas in Pyjamas are also expected to turn up in their best form and contend for the top positions; following an impressive spring showing from both NiP and Gambit, we’re eager to see how the two favourites will fare against one another on 5 September.
The rest of the group is evenly matched, which may result in a tiebreaker. These teams all have what it takes to best one another, making the margins for CS:GO betting on group D too narrow for comfort. Brazilians Team One are the only team that we can confidently eliminate — they simply lack the experience with S-tier events and are unlikely to stand their ground against the stalwart opposition.
EPL S14 FORMAT
➤ Seeding for the groups is based on ESL World Ranking, independent of partner status. All teams will play each other once within their group, and the order of matches on the fourth day of competition is decided by the group results until that point.
Group Stage
- Single round-robin format.
- All teams play each other once in Bo3 matches.
- Each group’s first-placed team advances to the quarter-finals.
- The second and third-placed teams advance to the round of 12.
Play-offs
- No Play-in stage.
- Single-elimination bracket.
- All matches are Bo3 except the Grand Final, which is Bo5.
EPL S14 SCHEDULE
Group C — 27-31 August
Group D — 1-5 September
Play-offs — 7-12 September
Grand Final — 12 September
EPL SEASON 14 — GROUPS C AND D — CS:GO BETTING
Have a look at our Sportsbook to find the latest CS:GO betting markets with top ESL Pro League odds and equally great propositions on other ongoing CS:GO tournaments; you can bet on Match Winner, Map Winner, Maps Handicap, Total Rounds or other CS:GO betting options.
Fnatic, at 16/5 (4.20) to win, are up against CIS powerhouse Natus Vincere, who are at 1/4 (1.25) to triumph and at 1/3 (1.33) to win Map 1 on 27 August.
FaZe Clan are at 2/5 (1.40) to win against fellow compatriots Evil Geniuses, who are at 39/20 (2.95) to take the match on 28 August.
Team FURIA are at 5/7 (1.72) to crush rising stars from the Czech Republic Entropiq, who are at 23/20 (2.15) to win the match and at 11/12 (1.92) to win the first Pistol Round.
The showdown between Gambit and Ninjas in Pyjamas is the one match you don’t want to miss on 5 September. Gambit are heading in at 1/2 (1.50) to win against NiP, who are at 8/5 (2.60) to whip the IEM Champions and at 27/20 (2.35) to win Map 2.
Make sure to come to the LV BET Sportblog back for more news, odds and CS:GO betting previews! We’ll be covering this year’s biggest CS:GO tournaments, match previews and everything else you need to know about the most competitive esports on the scene.
*Odds subject to change. Odds correct at time of publishing.