Virtus.pro vs. HAVU, Preview & Prediction - Free 4/22 CS:GO

Virtus.pro is a firm favorite in this Best of 3 encounter when they face HAVU in the Lower round 1 of the FunSpark ULTI 2020 Europe Final on Thursday. The winner of this duel will progress to the Lower semis and meet the loser of the clash between Extra Salt and Dignitas, while the losing side will be eliminated.

Virtus.pro Team Stats and Latest Results

Virtus.pro suffered a surprising 2-0 loss to forZe in the opening round of the playoffs here at the FunSpark ULTI 2020 Europe Final, and now they are trying to make up for it. They finished 2nd at the IEM Katowice 2021 after losing to Gambit in the Grand Final, while Virtus.pro ended in 7th position at the ESL Pro League Season 13. Losing this game would mean dropping out of the top 5, so a defeat is not an option for the favorites. Virtus.pro won nine of the previous 14 matches.

Talking about the maps in the last three months, Virtus.pro was very good on Inferno (83.3% win rate) and Mirage (71.4%), while they were below average on Train (42.9%) and Vertigo (42.9%). Since January 2021, Virtus.pro has played with the same squad that appeared on 57 maps and recorded 37 wins and 20 losses. The lineup is made of SANJI (0.95 rating), buster (1.07), Qikert (1.01), Jame (1.23), and YEKINDAR (1.25).

HAVU Team Stats and Latest Results

HAVU was in fine form of four consecutive victories, but now they are on a negative three-game losing streak, losing to Apeks, SKADE, and Complexity. The latest defeat came at this tournament and it was expected, while the bookmakers are not giving them big chances in this one as well. The Finnish team beat K23 twice, Copenhagen Flames, ex-Winstrike, and Dignitas to qualify for the FunSpark ULTI 2020 Europe Final, but it looks this will be the end of the road for them. HAVU won 14 of the last 20 games.

In the previous three months, HAVU was excellent on Train (83.3%) and Nuke (80.0%), while their “weakest” displays came on Overpass (63.2%). HAVU assembled its current lineup in February this year and appeared on 91 maps with a record of 66 wins and 25 losses. The team members are Aerial (1.22), xseveN (1.18), ZOREE (1.13), sLowi (1.09), and jemi (0.99).

Virtus.pro vs. HAVU H2H Record

It’s going to be the first-ever meeting between these teams.

Virtus.pro vs. HAVU Betting Preview

Virtus.pro already unpleasantly surprised at this tournament, and I don’t think they will let another shocking defeat. HAVU can be happy with its displays of late, but defeating the favored Virtus.pro is a mountain to climb for the Finnish team. Although I don’t think Virtus.pro will destroy HAVU, I am backing them to secure a 2-0 victory, even if one map goes to overtime.

The Pick: Virtus.pro -1.5 (+123 @GGBET)