BLAST.TV Austin Major's Swiss stages have narrowed the field to eight elite teams. Now entering single-elimination playoffs, Pinnacle previews the contenders and their high-stakes matchups.
FURIA (-212*) vs. paiN (+171*) - June 19, 2025
FURIA began its Major journey in Stage 2 and has since surged into the playoffs with a flawless 3:0 record in Stage 3. Notably, all three teams FURIA defeated held higher rankings. Currently on a five-match winning streak, FURIA boasts four players with ratings above 1.10, showcasing its collective firepower.
paiN also started in Stage 2 but faced a tougher path in Stage 3. Losses to Spirit and G2 pushed paiN to the brink of elimination, but a resilient three-match winning streak secured its playoff berth.
These Brazilian rivals previously clashed in Stage 2, where paiN narrowly won 13:11 in a best-of-1 match. While history favors paiN, FURIA’s current form is superior, and the odds reflect this momentum. For this evenly matched derby, Total Maps Over 2.5 at +102* offers value, as neither team holds a decisive advantage.
Bet: FURIA vs. paiN odds
Spirit (-239*) vs. MOUZ (+192*) - June 19, 2025
The defending Major champion has been unstoppable, blitzing through Stage 3 with a perfect 3:0 record. Riding a nine-match winning streak that began with the team’s PGL Astana victory, Spirit has established itself as a tournament favorite. Its map pool is terrifyingly deep, boasting 80%+ win rates on Dust 2, Anubis, and Train over the past three months. The squad is led by 18-year-old phenom Danil "donk" Kryshkovets, the youngest Major MVP in CS history, who maintains a staggering 1.48 rating.
While ranked among the world's top three teams, MOUZ struggled in Stage 3, suffering losses to Virtus.pro and FaZe that nearly eliminated them at 0:2. However, the team demonstrated championship resilience by winning three consecutive elimination matches to secure its playoff spot. This hard road stands in stark contrast to Spirit's dominant run.
Given Spirit's current form and MOUZ's inconsistent performances, Spirit Handicap -1.5 at +138* presents strong value. The defending champion's map pool advantage and “donk”'s superstar form make it the favorite, though MOUZ's playoff experience could surface in a potential upset.
Bet: Spirit vs. MOUZ odds
FaZe (-127*) vs. The MongolZ (+105*) - June 20, 2025
Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyljev has emerged as FaZe Clan's top performer with a 1.15 rating since joining in May, yet the team continues to underperform relative to expectations. Its Stage 2 campaign saw it barely scrape through to Stage 3 with a 3-2 record, followed by a marginally better 3:1 performance in Stage 3 to secure a playoff berth. More concerning are the team’s map statistics - over the past three months, FaZe has failed to maintain a 70% win rate on any map, while its performance on Mirage sits at an abysmal 16.7% win rate despite its popularity in the current meta.
The MongolZ present an intriguing contrast, having solidified its position as a top-five team globally while still chasing its first premier tournament victory. Its path through Stage 3 was arduous, requiring a 3:2 qualification battle after suffering a 0:2 defeat against FaZe earlier in the stage. This sets up a fascinating rematch where both teams field similarly skilled players, though the odds slightly favor FaZe due to its roster's wealth of Major experience.
When evaluating betting opportunities, FaZe's Money Line at -127* stands out as the safer choice. Its veteran composure in high-pressure matches and previous success against The MongolZ suggests it holds the advantage, despite its recent struggles as a unit. The MongolZ will need to overcome its historical lack of deep tournament runs to pull off what would still be considered an upset against this decorated FaZe lineup.
Bet: FaZe vs. The MongolZ odds
Natus Vincere (+450*) vs. Vitality (-625*) - June 20, 2025
This quarterfinal matchup presents the most pronounced odds differential of all playoff pairings, setting up a fascinating contrast between two teams at different stages of their competitive journey. Natus Vincere finds itself in a curious position - while it remains one of CS's most storied organizations, it hasn’t hoisted a top-tier trophy since its IEM Rio 2024 triumph nearly a year ago. Its Stage 3 performance told a familiar story: a generally solid 3:1 record that included another sobering 0:2 defeat against Team Spirit, underscoring its current gap from the absolute elite.
Vitality's path to the playoffs carried its own drama after its record-setting 30-match win streak, the second-longest in CS history, was shockingly snapped by underdogs Legacy in the Stage 3 opener. Yet what followed perfectly demonstrated why Vitality remains the team to beat: an immediate return to form with three consecutive victories to secure advancement. The team’s statistics remain nothing short of dominant, boasting a 95.7% win rate over the past three months as it continues an active streak of six straight top-tier tournament victories.
With Mathieu "ZywOo" Herbaut maintaining MVP-caliber form at a 1.36 rating and every member of the squad performing above the 1.00 threshold, Vitality enters this matchup as the clear favorite. Vitality Handicap –1.5 at –143* presents particularly compelling value when considering NAVI's persistent struggles against top-tier opposition and Vitality's proven ability to rebound from rare setbacks. This quarterfinal will ultimately test whether NAVI can finally bridge the gap to the elite, or if Vitality will continue building one of Counter-Strike's most impressive modern dynasties.
Bet: Natus Vincere vs. Vitality odds
*Odds subject to change