Cloud9 vs Evil Geniuses Prediction: Easy win for Russian team

The second major tournament after the resumption of the CS:GO season kicked off on August 31. ESL Pro League Season 16 runs until October 2, hosting the best teams in the world. 24 teams will compete for a prize pool of $823,000 and a ticket to the BLAST Premier World Final 2022. The CIS-region will be represented by four teams, two of which are in the top 3 of the HLTV ranking. For a whole month, fans of the shooter can enjoy world-class CS. The only thing left to do is to choose their favorite.

On September 21, Cloud9 and Evil Geniuses will play their opening game in ESL Pro League Season 16. We will find out which team will be stronger very soon. The meeting is scheduled to start at 13:30 (UTC+3).

• Current HLTV ranking: #11
• Changes over the last three months: -7
• Best map: Mirage – 67% in 3 maps
• Worst map: Inferno – 33% in 3 maps

Cloud9 had a bad showing at IEM Cologne 2022. The Russian team took only 9-12th place which is a real failure for such a squad. However, at the end of the tournament, two Cloud9 players were among the eight strongest on individual statistics. Ax1Le and sh1ro showed excellent shooting, but it did not help the team. After the failed tournament, Cloud9 rested for more than two months. During this period, the team had to reboot and approach ESL Pro League Season 16 in maximum condition. As for maps, the Russian team will not be able to play Vertigo, which at one point was the strongest for the team on the pro scene. Nevertheless, the guys have Mirage, which Evil Geniuses are not the best at. Cloud9, on the other hand, shows a pretty good game. This map can be called one of the strongest for the team. Not so long ago the American team lost Mirage with a score of 6-16 BIG. Germans are in bad shape now and a smashing defeat to such a team is indicative. We don't think Cloud9 will have any problems at their peak.

• Current HLTV ranking: #35
• Changes over the last three months: –
• Best map: Inferno – 50% in 4 maps
• Worst map: –

Evil Geniuses couldn't improve their results after changes in the lineup. At BLAST Premier Fall Groups 2022, the team lost to all opponents without a chance. The only positive thing we can mention is the victory on one map in the match against NiP. Yes, after that the Americans were able to be selected for RMR in their region, but the level of their rivals in the open qualifications is so low that it is not worth giving much importance to these victories. And it was a struggle on almost every map. Only one match Evil Geniuses managed to win confidently. Against a team that isn't even in the top 50 of the HLTV ranking. As for maps, in recent matches EG took Nuke and Ancient. The first map Cloud9 is sure to get banned, and on the second, Evil Geniuses don't look like a favorite. The Russian team plays Ancient very well and shouldn't have any problems there. There's also Inferno, which is traditionally considered to be Cloud9's weak spot, but at BLAST Premier Fall Groups 2022 EG, they looked awful on that map. And at the IEM Road to Rio 2022. Open Qualifier every win was very difficult for the team. On Inferno, Evil Geniuses can take more than ten rounds, but we don't believe in them winning this map at all. The match should end with a score of 2-0 in favor of Cloud9. Evil Geniuses looked too flimsy in recent matches.

The teams have never faced off in the current lineups.

Cloud9 had time to prepare for the tournament. The guys are the main favorite in Group D and should have no problem to win in the first match. Bookmakers at 1xbet offer odds of 1.74 on Cloud9's Frags Handicap (-10.5), which looks like a good option. You can also take Total Rounds Under (56.5) for odds 1.90 at Bet365.