This article is part of our DraftKings CS:GO series.
Games (EDT)
- 8:00 a.m: Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP) vs. Astralis (A)
- 11:30 a.m: Natus Vincere (NaVi) vs. G2 Esports (G2)
- 3:00 p.m: FaZe Clan (FaZe) vs. BIG Clan (BIG)
Ninjas in Pyjamas vs. Astralis
The first match of the day in DreamHack Masters Spring is a match between the Swedes of NiP taking on the new lineup of Astralis, one that has struggled for consistency. NiP come into the match in solid form, despite a 2-1 loss to Vitality that saw ZywOo almost single-handedly dispatch the Swedish side. Meanwhile, Astralis have massively struggled, as their two new signings, Snappi and JUGi, have failed to have any sort of positive impact on the team. While Astralis work to bring the two new members into the fold, they have been eliminated from BLAST Spring, convincingly, by mousesports, 2-0, after a very poor performance in the group stage. Astralis have also had map pool issues since adding the two new members, with former strengths like Train or Inferno beginning to look like vulnerabilities. If NiP want to take the match, they will need all of their individual firepower to show up to match the three-man core of Astralis, and will have to try and take the match onto Overpass, Vertigo or Train, three maps where NiP could have big advantages. The value in this match should also come from the Swedish side, who come in with very reasonable prices.
Prediction: NiP 2-1 Astralis
- NiP Players to Target: nawwk ($12,000 Captain, $8,000 Flex),
Games (EDT)
- 8:00 a.m: Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP) vs. Astralis (A)
- 11:30 a.m: Natus Vincere (NaVi) vs. G2 Esports (G2)
- 3:00 p.m: FaZe Clan (FaZe) vs. BIG Clan (BIG)
Ninjas in Pyjamas vs. Astralis
The first match of the day in DreamHack Masters Spring is a match between the Swedes of NiP taking on the new lineup of Astralis, one that has struggled for consistency. NiP come into the match in solid form, despite a 2-1 loss to Vitality that saw ZywOo almost single-handedly dispatch the Swedish side. Meanwhile, Astralis have massively struggled, as their two new signings, Snappi and JUGi, have failed to have any sort of positive impact on the team. While Astralis work to bring the two new members into the fold, they have been eliminated from BLAST Spring, convincingly, by mousesports, 2-0, after a very poor performance in the group stage. Astralis have also had map pool issues since adding the two new members, with former strengths like Train or Inferno beginning to look like vulnerabilities. If NiP want to take the match, they will need all of their individual firepower to show up to match the three-man core of Astralis, and will have to try and take the match onto Overpass, Vertigo or Train, three maps where NiP could have big advantages. The value in this match should also come from the Swedish side, who come in with very reasonable prices.
Prediction: NiP 2-1 Astralis
- NiP Players to Target: nawwk ($12,000 Captain, $8,000 Flex), Plopski ($11,400 Captain, $7,600 Flex)
- A Players to Target: device ($14,400 Captain, $9,600 Flex)
NaVi vs. G2 Esports
The second match of the day should be a close one as the French side of G2 try and take down the CIS giants of NaVi, who come into the match with s1mple in fine form, a scary prospect for any team. This match also features two of the very best AWPers in the world, as the French maestro kennyS matches up against s1mple. NaVi are rated as the world's very best team, and are in fine form, while G2 have struggled of late, dropping series to FaZe, North and Astralis in their last five. If G2 want to turn their performances around they will look towards their depth, namely huNter-, nexa and jaCkz to support kennyS and his AWP. NaVi, on the other hand, will look to play their style built around the world class AWP and rifle of s1mple and electronic, respectively. If G2 can't shut down the firepower of NaVi, then this should be a quick match for the CIS side, especially if the match ends on Dust 2 or Train, where NaVi should have a large advantage. However, on Nuke or Inferno, G2 should have the team cohesion to keep the match close and target the weaker links of NaVi.
Prediction: NaVi 2-1 G2 Esports
- NaVi Players to Target: s1mple ($13,800 Captain, $9,200 Flex), electronic ($10,800 Captain, $7,200 Flex)
- G2 Players to Target: kennyS ($10,800 Captain, $7,200 Flex)
FaZe Clan vs. BIG Clan
The final match of the day also looks to be the most one-sided, as the international superstars of FaZe Clan take on the German side of BIG Clan, bolstered by their superstar XANTARES. FaZe Clan come into the match in solid form, all things considered, as they work to integrate the young Bymas into the side as their replacement for olofmeister. The star turn for FaZe Clan has been the young AWP of broky, who has kept up with the star power of NiKo and coldzera. BIG Clan feature a rare German roster, but they have been in incredible form of late, with tabseN and sysoN dismantling teams. If BIG Clan want to upset the star-studded roster of FaZe Clan they will look to keep the match on Inferno or Nuke, or even Overpass, maps where the German side can shut down the superstars of FaZe. On the other side, FaZe Clan favor Dust 2 and Mirage, two maps that let their players have the freedom to simply control a match and man-handle BIG Clan. If FaZe Clan can have their first statement performance with Bymas, this match has the potential to put up the biggest value of the slate, namely with broky and coldzera, both featuring incredibly reasonable salaries.
Prediction: FaZe Clan 2-1 BIG Clan
