FURIA vs. Liquid, Preview & Prediction - Free 12/18 CS:GO

FURIA is a slight favorite in this Best of 3 encounter when they face Liquid in the Group B decider match of the IEM Global Challenge 2020 on Friday. The old foes will fight for a place in the playoffs, and only a winning team can advance to the top four at this tournament, while the loser will suffer elimination.

FURIA Team Stats and Latest Results

FURIA hasn’t played well in the last few weeks, especially against European opponents. The Brazilians beat the next rival Liquid to punch a ticket for the BLAST Fall Finals, but they suffered a couple of losses to G2 and Natus Vincere and finished the tournament in 5th place, for which they earned $15,000. FURIA lost the opening match at the IEM Global Challenge 2020 to Natus Vincere but responded well against Heroic in the next one. FURIA won eight of the previous 14 matches.

When it comes to maps in the last three months, FURIA was dominant on Vertigo (80.0% win rate), Train (75.0%), and Inferno (73.7%), while they didn’t impress on Overpass (42.9%). FURIA assembled its current lineup in September 2020 and appeared on 69 maps with a record of 42 wins and 27 losses. The team members are HEN1 (1.14 rating), arT (1.02), yuurih (1.17), VINI (1.01), and KSCERATO (1.13).

Liquid Team Stats and Latest Results

Liquid came to this tournament thanks to an invitation and they have an opportunity to show they deserve to be here with a win on Friday. The Americans haven’t been impressive at the IEM Beijing-Haidian 2020 North America and BLAST Premier Fall 2020 Showdown but managed to cash in $21,000 for their efforts. Surprisingly, Liquid defeated Heroic 2-0 in the opening match of the IEM Global Challenge 2020, but couldn’t make another upset against Natus Vincere. Liquid won ten of the last 17 games.

In the previous three months, Liquid was excellent on Overpass (83.3% win rate), Nuke (80.0%), and Train (75.0%), while they were below average on Vertigo (40.0%). Just like FURIA, Liquid is playing with the current squad since September this year and appeared on 52 maps with a record of 31 wins and 21 losses. The lineup consists of NAF (1.14 rating), EliGE (1.17), Stewie2K (0.99), Twistzz (1.00), and Grim (1.12).

FURIA vs. Liquid H2H Record

These rivals have met on 12 occasions before, and FURIA is dominating the all-time series 10-2. The Brazilians are on a four-game winning streak, and they also won the most recent clash at the BLAST Premier Fall 2020 Showdown. They came from behind to win that game, which was the second time in a row they overcame the deficit to get a victory.

FURIA vs. Liquid Betting Preview

I am leaning toward FURIA because of the H2H record and the tradition, which is evidently on the Brazilians’ side. Still, given the significance of the game and the fact that the losing tea will suffer elimination, I cannot back a winner here. Four of the last six Best of 3 H2H duels produced a maximum of three maps, which occurred in both latest H2Hs played in the last two months. That’s why I am going with Over 2.5 Maps in this one.

The Pick: Over 2.5 Maps (-103 @GG.BET)