With all the top teams featuring in the much-anticipated event, we analyse which have the strongest claims to the $1m prize
It’s been a long time coming, but Valve have finally answered the clamour of thousands of fans to officially host their first ever CS:GO Championship in North America.
Virtually every top team in the world will be in attendance to shoot it out for the $1m prize pot – so what do we predict will happen?
fnatic will win…obviously
Nobody wants to pre-judge any tournament, and all of Valve’s majors have thrown up some massive shocks in the past.
However, nobody can deny that fnatic are deserved favourites at 1.70.
They have just defended their IEM Katowice title in Poland to add to their recent Star Ladder XIV finals and ESL One: Cologne triumphs.
They are ranked top in the world thanks to the finest team of CS:GO players around, led by the charismatic flusha.
And if that isn’t enough to convince you, then there’s still one more stat that puts it all in perspective: the Swedes have not lost a single tournament since they recruited dennis in November.
They seem unstoppable, and it will only get worse each round. Unless…
A challenger will emerge
Despite fnatic being nailed on to win, there is always a point where other teams are tipped as being as the big hope of the tournament or the only side that can stop the favourites.
Already, people are casting eyes at French powerhouses EnVyUs – priced at 10.00 – to see if they can mount a challenge after the group stages, but even within their own group Danish rascals Astralis (7.50) look the better bet.
EnVyUs have been extremely shaky in recent months, while astralis came close to beating fnatic in the IEM Katowice semi-finals where they lost 2-1 in a match that was scheduled for 1am.
Next time around, fnatic may not be so lucky.
USA will get competitive
This is the chance for America’s best CS:GO teams to show their skills on home turf for the first time.
The biggest hopes lie with Brazilian-based Luminosity in Group A.
Third favourites for the Columbus title at 7.00, they have been denied in three finals by Fnatic – most recently in IEM Katowice.
Will this be the moment they finally make it?
LG captain Gabriel ‘FalleN’ Toledo won’t be taking any chances, and the AWPer is the man to beat. If you come up against him on Inferno, run.
Also worthy of a mention is the hotly-anticipated clash between NA hopefuls Team Liquid and Splyce.
Splyce (251.00) may have qualified first, but Team Liquid are no lightweights at 51.00.
If s1mple fancies turning up at a tournament for once, they might have a shot at getting out of the group.
Visit Betway eSports every day for the latest offers, the very best odds, the most markets and the biggest in-play action throughout the MLG Columbus.
It promises to be a thrilling ride, but who are you backing for glory? Let us know @BetwayeSports now!
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