With PGL Astana 2025 set to get underway, it’s time to make some predictions for all eight opening matches. 16 teams will take to the server on May 10th, looking to secure the lion’s share of the $1.25 million prize pool. With stakes like this, it’s bound to be a banger.
Aurora vs. BIG
Credit: PGL
Aurora might not have reached the heights they expected to in 2025 after their change in organization, but you would still have to put them among the best CS2 teams in the world. Meanwhile, BIG continue to struggle, and have really stagnated for a while now. It’s not hard to see where this one should end – Aurora will clean sweep BIG, I’d imagine.
Our prediction: Aurora 2:0 BIG
Astralis vs. ODDIK
Credit: Sebastian Pandelache | PGL
Astralis may be in financial peril if rumors are to be believed, but by benching cadiaN and signing HooXi for this event, they’ve given themselves another chance at life. They aren’t favorites to win PGL Astana 2025 by any stretch of the imagination, but you’d have to put them as favorites against Brazilian side ODDIK. If they do somehow manage to lose this one, it’d be an alarming sign for Astralis and their prospects in this event.
Our prediction: Astralis 2:0 ODDIK
The MongolZ vs. FURIA
Credit: Sebastian Pandelache | PGL
For FURIA, this event marks their first attempt at going international by bringing in molodoy and YEKINDAR, while moving FalleN to the rifle on a permanent basis. Even on paper, it doesn’t look pretty. Meanwhile, The MongolZ‘s mixed results in 2025 don’t reflect how good they are on paper, and I expect them to have far too much to offer for FURIA, especially at this early stage for the latter’s roster.
Our prediction: The MongolZ 2:0 FURIA
G2 vs. MIBR
Credit: Sebastian Pandelache | PGL
PGL Astana 2025 marks G2‘s first event without m0NESY on the roster, instead bringing in hades as a temporary replacement. Even on paper, it’s not exactly an inspiring fix, and I imagine results on the server will reflect that, too. MIBR aren’t exactly the top dogs in Brazil right now, but I think there’s a world in which they make G2 sweat on their new roster debut.
Our prediction: G2 2:1 MIBR
NAVI vs. M80
Credit: Enos Ku | ESL
NAVI‘s 2025 has been pretty disastrous, to say the least. It all appears to be falling apart at the seams, and if they don’t book their ideas up soon, roster changes could be afoot. Meanwhile, I really rate M80, especially given their place in the North American CS2 scene. Even still, there’s a clear favorite and underdog hierarchy in this one. While I think M80 will take a map, this series should still be NAVI’s to lose.
Our prediction: NAVI 2:1 M80
Virtus.pro vs. Ninjas in Pyjamas
Credit: ESL
I don’t even know what to think of Virtus.pro at the moment. They’re sort of just… there. They don’t excite me, they don’t bore me. It’s just all a bit meh. They kick off their campaign at PGL Astana 2025 against Ninjas in Pyjamas, who played open qualifiers to reach their first Tier 1 CS2 tournament of the year. I think their online grind might help them against VP, but I just don’t think the quality is there to get past them in a full best-of-three series.
Our prediction: Virtus.pro 2:1 Ninjas in Pyjamas
Team Spirit vs. GamerLegion
Credit: Helena Kristiansson | ESL
Team Spirit are the clear favorites to win PGL Astana 2025, and I’m not going to argue that point. They’ve looked a little uninspiring against the very top teams, but they’ve chosen to skip out on a trip to Astana, leaving Team Spirit by far and away the best roster in the competition. However, don’t sleep on GamerLegion. They’re currently 9th in the VRS, their highest position ever. They can cause a threat to any team in the scene, and don’t be surprised to see this young roster cause some problems for Team Spirit.
Our prediction: Team Spirit 2:1 GamerLegion
paiN Gaming vs. HOTU
Credit: Helena Kristiansson | ESL
Sometimes, you just get a feeling about something that you can’t shake, and paiN Gaming vs. HOTU is one of them things. Sadly, paiN Gaming have been underwhelming for a little while now, and CIS roster HOTU could shock them if they don’t show their best selves. I’m going bold here, and predicting that the underdog in HOTU will give us the biggest shock of PGL Astana 2025.
Our prediction: paiN Gaming 1:2 HOTU