Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 | Elimination stage preview

Elimination stage key information

The Elimination Stage will feature 8 seeded teams from EU RMR A and B, along with 8 teams that advanced from the Opening Stage. Let’s take a closer look:

EU RMR A seeds:

• Natus Vincere (+292*)
• Vitality (+298*)
• MOUZ (+536*)
• FaZe (+727*)

EU RMR B seeds:

• G2 (+330*)
• Spirit (+393*)
• HEROIC (+1381*)
• 3DMAX (+2700*)

Advanced from Opening Stage:

• The MongolZ (+1050*)
• Liquid (+1814*)
• FURIA (+2350*)
• paiN (+3650*)
• BIG (+5550*)
• MIBR (+6750*)
• GamerLegion (+7250*)
• Wildcard (+9550*)

The only home team in the tournament, Rare Atom, along with well-known organizations like Complexity, Virtus.pro and Cloud9, have been eliminated during the Opening Stage. The 16 teams still standing will now battle it out in an even more intense Swiss format, with only 8 advancing to the Playoffs.

What to expect during the Elimination stage

1. The Brazilian army: As I mentioned in the Opening Stage article, I believed that at least one Brazilian team would advance to the Elimination Stage. It turns out three Brazilian teams - paiN, FURIA and MIBR - have made it through, which is fantastic news for Brazilian fans! However, the competition in the Elimination Stage is far more intense. The question now is: can at least one of these teams push through to the Playoffs?
2. The big favorites: NAVI, G2, Vitality, Spirit, MOUZ, FaZe and HEROIC - these organizations represent the pinnacle of competitive CS2. With numerous star players and massive fan bases, they consistently compete in top-tier tournaments, showcasing their elite level of play. Some of them are even past Major champions. Their vast experience, refined team tactics and ability to adapt to ever-changing meta make them formidable opponents. They're not just here to participate; they're here to dominate - and they certainly won't be looking to end their journey in the Elimination Stage.
3. The contenders: In Counter-Strike Major history, upsets often occur when younger or smaller organizations take down heavy favorites. This Major is no exception, and I believe we’ll see even more surprises. The biggest challenger to the top-tier teams is undoubtedly The MongolZ. The Mongolians stormed through the Opening Stage without dropping a single map and are poised to make history as the first-ever Asian team to lift a Major trophy. Other teams, such as 3DMAX, paiN and GamerLegion, have also shown their potential to cause major upsets, making them serious contenders to watch in this intense competition.

Big favorites to advance to the Playoff stage

Not sure how your picks are holding up, but I only managed to predict five teams correctly advancing to the Elimination Stage. Swiss rounds are always unpredictable, especially with Bo1 matches, which tend to produce upsets. Now, with the stakes even higher, the Elimination Stage becomes even harder to call. That said, my personal favorites to advance to the Playoffs are NAVI, G2, The MongolZ, Vitality, Spirit, MOUZ, 3DMAX and FURIA. Let’s see how it plays out!

Best bets for selected matches

The opening matches of the Swiss round are shaping up to be thrilling, and I’ve selected a few must-watch games for this stage. Along with these picks, I’ll provide some betting insights to help you make informed wagers. Stay tuned for detailed breakdowns!

1. G2 (-153*) vs. The MongolZ (+126*): This matchup pits a traditional powerhouse against one of the brightest rising stars. Their last face-off dates back to July’s Esports World Cup 2024, where The MongolZ suffered a 0-2 loss to G2 in a Bo3 series. Despite unchanged rosters, The MongolZ’s recent form suggests they’ve grown stronger and are hungry for revenge against the world’s top-ranked team, G2. In this Bo1 clash, consider betting on The MongolZ with handicap options: +2.5 at -111* or +3.5 at -163*. These lines indicate a tighter contest, with the Mongolians poised to challenge G2.
2. Natus Vincere (-202*) vs. Liquid (+164*): NAVI has enjoyed a strong run this year, currently holding the #1 spot in the HLTV rankings. Their recent 2-1 victory over Liquid at IEM Rio 2024 highlights their dominance. While Liquid is a veteran team with extensive top-tier tournament experience, their struggles against top-ranked opponents this year have been evident. Given the circumstances, a Money Line bet on NAVI at -202* appears to be the safest option for this matchup.
3. Spirit (-245*) vs. FURIA (+196*): Spirit is set to face Brazil’s finest, FURIA, in their Elimination Stage opener. Their last encounter was at ESL Pro League Season 20 in September, where Spirit convincingly secured a 2-0 win. However, FURIA brings momentum, backed by their passionate Brazilian fan base and a notable victory over NAVI at IEM Rio 2024, proving their capability to challenge top-tier teams. Spirit’s performance hinges on the form of Danil "donk" Kryshkovets and Dmitriy "sh1ro" Sokolov. If both deliver, a Money Line bet on Spirit @ -245* seems promising. For those seeking more value, consider a map total bet on Over 20.5 at -149*.

*Odds subject to change