NIP and NAVI will meet in the group stage of IEM Cologne 2022. I note that the winner of this match will definitely go to the playoffs of the championship, reserving the right to go directly to the semi-finals.
No matter how “Born to Win” starts, I just don’t see any options for the Swedish team to win here. Moreover, NIP surprised enough by beating Heroic the day before to go even further.
In addition, NAVI will definitely gain during the tournament, and if the team played like this yesterday, today it will feel a little better. It remains only to guess how many cards will go into the piggy bank of the Swedes: zero or one.
Form N.I.P.
The seventh team in the world ranking failed at IEM Dallas 2022, where they didn’t even manage to reach the playoffs and were left with only one victory over Complexity.
However, after NIP managed to win the Global Esports Tour Dubai 2022, even though they played without their captain. And yet there the Swedish team managed to give up, since it is problematic to explain the cards given to NASR and MOUZ even in those conditions.
As for the start at IEM Cologne 2022, here NIP unexpectedly defeated Heroic. Although, if you look at the content, the Swedes did not play much at 2:0, but they still looked more interesting than their opponent.
Latest NIP results:
- Defeated by Cloud9 with a score of 0:2.
- 2:1 victory over NASR.
- Victory over OG with a score of 2:0.
- Victory over MOUZ with a score of 2:1.
- Victory over Heroic with a score of 2:0.
Best NIP cards:
- Overpass - 78% of wins.
- Inferno - 75% of wins.
- Ancient - 57% of wins.
- Mirage - 50% of wins.
At the same time, the Swedish team continues to refuse the Dust 2 map.
Form NAVI
The second team in the world ranking recently became the winner of BLAST Premier Spring Final 2022. And then the team started with an unexpected defeat from OG, at some point making them doubt themselves.
Nevertheless, NAVI managed to accelerate further, eventually closing down a couple of principal rivals. Well, everyone knows very well about the matches with FaZe Clan and Vitality.
As for the start at IEM Cologne 2022, Born to Win found the strength to close MOUZ, even if they did a trick on Mirage, giving a good advantage. Although the final at Inferno showed that the team is still in shape and will only gain momentum.
Latest NAVI results:
- Victory over BIG with a score of 2:0.
- Victory over FaZe Clan with a score of 2:0.
- Victory over OG with a score of 2:1.
- Victory over Vitality with a score of 2:0.
- Victory over MOUZ with a score of 2:1.
The best NAVI maps:
- Dust 2 - 80% of wins.
- Ancient - 80% of wins.
- Mirage - 73% of wins.
- Inferno - 55% win rate.
- Nuke - 60% win rate.
Recall that the "Born to Win" consistently refuse the Vertigo card.
Statistics of meetings NIP — NAVI
As part of the current season, the teams held three meetings:
- NIP victory at BLAST Premier Spring Groups 2022 with a score of 2:1.
- NAVI's victory at BLAST Premier Spring Groups 2022 with a score of 2:0.
- NAVI's victory at PGL Major Antwerp 2022 with a score of 2:1.
I would like to note that the teams played on Overpass, Nuke and Mirage twice each.
Prediction for the match NIP — NAVI
I doubt that the Swedes will have enough character to close NAVI and advance further in the upper bracket. Moreover, NIP has long-standing problems in such matches, because they are preparing for the team, but it does not really change its approach to the game.
In turn, as I said earlier, NAVI will still gain in the course of the championship, and there are no prerequisites to think that the team will suddenly stumble in the match with the Swedes. Plus, all the statistics speak in favor of the "Born to Win", which will clearly enter the match with a psychological advantage.
Therefore, here I would recommend betting on the victory of the NAVI team.
