ESL Pro League Season 16 Opening Day – Predictions and Analysis

The start of one of the most important tournaments in the CS:GO scene is just days away. Following the qualifiers, the main event of the ESL Pro League Season 16 will start on August 31 and run until October 2, featuring 24 teams. The organization’s match schedule will progress group by group, with Group A matches taking place first. Featuring teams such as Natus Vincere, Vitality and Ninjas in Pyjamas, the opening day games are as follows.

Natus Vincere vs Team Spirit

Predictions:Natus Vincere to win

Odds: 1.19

Betting Site: Odds provided by Midnite Esports

When: August 31, 2022 – 12:30 CEST

There’s no end in sight for Natus Vincere’s CS:GO action as they race from tournament to tournament. Currently competing in BLAST Premier Fall Groups 2022, the Ukrainian representative will take the stage in the opening match of ESL Pro League 16.

Due to the back-to-back matches and tournaments, Na’Vi’s superstar s1mple has decided to sit out the last 2 tournaments his team has participated in. It is not yet clear if the player will take part in the first weeks of ESL Pro League 16. Nevertheless, Natus Vincere managed to perform at a very high level with the stand-in players.

Team Spirit played their last official match a month ago at IEM Cologne 2022, where they finished 12th. Although they have a strong core, the fact that the players have not played in a serious tournament for a month will be a big disadvantage.

Team Vitality vs Endpoint

Predictions: Vitality to win

CS:GO Odds: 1.12

Betting Site: Odds provided by Midnite

When: August 31, 2022 – 16:00 CEST

Vitality, who made a lot of hype with their transfers at the beginning of the season and made big changes within the team, are finally starting to find their rhythm. In the last tournaments they participated in, they started to reach the levels expected of them and the harmony within the team seemed to increase. Spinx, the latest addition to the team, has also created a great rapport.

Endpoint have been struggling for a while with the roster they have built. Finally, they strengthened their team with Kjaerbye, one of the most prominent names of the past. The organization last appeared at the IEM Road to Rio 2022 Europe Open Qualifiers but failed. It is quite possible that they will lose to Vitality in the opening match of ESL.

Ninjas in Pyjamas vs Fnatic

CS:GO Predictions: Ninjas in Pyjamas to win

Odds: 1.32

CS:GO Betting Site: Odds provided by Midnite

When: August 31, 2022 – 19:30 CEST

One of the most anticipated and expected to be close matches on the opening day. Ninjas in Pyjamas, with a young roster, have been one of the strongest teams on the scene and are ranked 9th in the World Rankings. Brollan’s 1.10 rating over the last 3 months stands out, but the rest of the roster has also played their part.

On the Fnatic side, things have gone well recently. After qualifying for the Major’s next stage, the European giant went on a five-game win streak to qualify. Form-wise, Fnatic seemed to be one step ahead, but their wins were not against S-Tier teams. NiP have played a lot of top tier matches in the 2022 season and will take advantage of that.