ENCE vs Virtus.pro: Will CIS prove their superiority?

One of the most prestigious CS:GO tournaments, the Intel Extreme Masters Winter 2021, will take place from December 2-12, where teams will compete for $250,000 in prize money and ESL Pro Tour points. IEM tournaments are among those where teams compete more for the title than for the prize money. IEM Winter tournaments also belong to the Intel Grand Slam series, which gives special motivation to prepare and good performance of the teams at the event. A total of 16 teams from all over the world will take part in the tournament. In the group stage, the teams are divided into two groups of eight teams each. The group matches will be played in a double-elimination bracket (any team will face the loser in a double-elimination bracket match and have the option to continue) BO3. Still, the group opener will be in BO1 format. Playoffs: single elimination (to one defeat) with grand final BO5.

Virtus.pro is an interesting team. The only ones in the world to make a 3:15 cumulative comeback and the only ones to make a substitution three days before the major (PGL Major Stockholm 2021). But as it turns out, all their decisions are weighted and result in results. Consequently, making the playoffs at the most prestigious event in the world, when no one could have expected such results. They have a well-paced game of communication built on reading the opponent. And while they had three days to prepare from substitution to the majors and have come this far, now with this much time, they must show their superiority. After the break-up of the upstart squad, the Finnish organization ENCE reached the final of the major (IEM Katowice Major 2019) and the loss of their star captain Aleksi 'Aleksib' Virolainen, have never been able to assemble a line-up of Finnish players, resulting in an international line-up. The team's results are controversial, although several analysts believe this squad is very promising. The play of this team makes you understand the power of the word instability. They can give a good fight to the best team in the world, but the next day they can be eliminated from Tier-3.

ENCE: determined to fight

The Finnish organisation has recruited a diverse roster of players at the start of 2021. Some are at the end of their careers. Others are young and promising. The combination of youth and experience and partnership agreements with many tournament operators has enabled this club to play in prestigious tournaments. For the most part, the team lives up to the trust. They don't go to the championships, but they never fall to the bottom of the tournament roster. But will they have the skills to stand up to the Polish organization?

They have been playing without replacements since May this year.

Their best ranking, according to hltv, is 12th in the world. The current ranking is 7.

The best map is mirage, with a win rate of 73% after 11 maps played.

Virtus.pro: determined to win

The legendary Polish club is experiencing good times. At one time, signing the Kazakh Avangar squad over the distance proved to be the right decision. There are only three players left of the starting line-up, but each replacement has only strengthened the squad. The arrival of Evgeny' FL1T' Lebedev only increased the potential. With only three days to prepare, they made it to the legends of the majors, which shows the high individual level of the players. They're the undisputed favourites in this match, and we're all expecting a confident win for our boys. The last substitution was the signing of Evgeny 'FL1 T' Lebedev.

The best hltv rating is 3rd in the world. Now they are in the 7th position.

The best map is overpass, with a 78% win rate after nine maps played.

Expert Betting Tips

I recommend taking a bet on Handicap 2 (-3.5) on 1 Map for 2.50.

Or simply Virtus.pro wins in regulation time on 1 Map for 1.80.