Espada vs. NAVI Junior, Preview & Prediction - Free 11/29 CS:GO

Espada is a strong favorite in this Best of 3 encounter when they take on NAVI Junior in the quarter-finals of the Cyber.Bet Golden League 2020 on Sunday. The winner of this meeting will go on to face a better side from a duel between Copenhagen Flames and Izako Boars.

Espada Team Stats and Latest Results

Espada failed to qualify for the DreamHack Open November 2020 after losing the Grand final of the qualification stage to Gambit, despite winning the opening map. However, they displayed better performances at the DreamHack Open December 2020 Closed Qualifier and qualified for the main event with wins over Lyngby Vikings, x6tence, and Apeks. Espada won ten of the previous 12 matches.

In the last three months, Espada was invincible on Dust2 (played 11 times) and was above average on Mirage (58.8% win rate), Inferno (57.1%), Nuke (57.1%), and Train (57.1%), while they have been average on Overpass. Since August this year, Espada is playing with the current lineup that appeared on 84 maps with a record of 51 wins and 33 losses. The lineup is made of Dima (1.10 rating), S0tF1k (0.96), FinigaN (1.01), degster (1.31), and Patsi (1.06).

NAVI Junior Team Stats and Latest Results

NAVI Junior played well in the league phase of the Cyber.Bet Golden League 2020 and recorded three victories over Giants, ex-Mustang Crew, and Hard Legion to qualify for the playoffs, where they beat Lilmix despite losing the opening map. They will meet Lilmix again in the semi-finals of the European Development Championship 1 Closed Qualifier following wins over Giants and AGO. NAVI Junior won seven of the last ten games.

During the previous three months, NAVI Junior won only appearances on Train and Overpass and was decent on Dust2 (71.4%) and Vertigo (71.4%), while they didn’t impress on Inferno (33.3%). NAVI Junior is playing with a new lineup that was assembled in October 2020 and appeared on 24 six maps with a record of 15 wins and nine losses. The team members are Aunkere (1.14), Gospadarov (1.01), Topa (0.98), kapacho (1.10), and B1T (1.12).

Espada vs. NAVI Junior H2H Record

These rivals have met on six occasions so far, and Espada is leading the all-time series 5-1. Espada won the last four meetings including the latest one at the Eden Arena Malta Vibes Cup 8 in August this year.

Espada vs. NAVI Junior Betting Preview

NAVI Junior did win four consecutive games but it’s going to be hard to surprise the favorites in this one because Espada knows how to handle them. degster is in fantastic form and NAVI Junior will have a lot of trouble to contain him, but I am backing Espada’s best player to drive his team forward and hand them a victory. I wouldn’t bet on Espada to secure a 2-0 win because NAVI Junior has the ability to get a map, but nothing more than that. I am going with Espada to win.

The Pick: Espada to win (-250 @PINNACLE)