An exciting showdown awaits us as NAVI take on Imperial at the Thunderpick World Championship 2025 — a duel between two teams from different regions but with the same ambition. The European giants, seasoned by years of top-tier finals, face off against a Brazilian squad on the rise, eager to prove they can take down the best. Who will prevail: NAVI’s structure and discipline or Imperial’s aggression and energy?
How the Bookmakers See It: NAVI — The Favorites
Bookmakers consider Natus Vincere the favorites in this matchup, citing their experience, roster stability, and recent championship win at StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025. Despite Imperial’s impressive form, analysts expect NAVI to adapt more effectively to the map pool and control the pace of the series. Their tactical depth and consistent performance on LAN events make them the more likely winners in this clash.
Current Form of NAVI: What to Expect
Natus Vincere enter the Thunderpick World Championship 2025 in strong form. Over the past three months, they’ve played 54 maps, winning 32, which reflects both stability and confidence. In the past month, NAVI competed at StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025, where they claimed the championship title, and at ESL Pro League Season 22, finishing 5th–8th.
- NAVI lineup: b1t, Aleksib, iM, w0nderful, makazze
In their most recent matches, the team has shown mixed results — victories over The MongolZ and HOTU, but losses to MOUZ, 3DMAX, and Falcons. Despite some inconsistency, NAVI look confident in crucial moments and continue to showcase high individual skill across their roster.
Current Form of Imperial: What to Expect
The Brazilian side Imperial have been on an upward trajectory, playing 69 maps in the last three months and winning 47 of them — an impressive record. In September, the team finished 2nd at FERJEE Rush 2025 and reached the top 8 at Circuit X South America Season 1.
- Imperial lineup: VINI, noway, try, chelo, skullz
Their recent matches also show balance — wins over ECSTATIC, Wildcard, and SkinRave, but losses to fnatic and BIG suggest the team is still seeking full stability. Imperial maintain their signature aggressive style, especially on the T side, though they can struggle against structured and disciplined European teams.
NAVI’s Map Pool
In a bo3 series, NAVI will likely start by banning Dust2, their most common veto. Among their stronger maps are Train (86% win rate), Inferno (58%), and Nuke (57%), the latter being their most played map in recent months (14 times).
Their logical choice for a pick would be Nuke, a map where NAVI excel strategically and feel comfortable controlling the pace. In the second ban phase, they are expected to remove Mirage, one of Imperial’s strongest maps.
Imperial’s Map Pool
Imperial usually begin by banning Ancient, their weakest map. The team performs well on Overpass (78% win rate), Inferno (82%), and Nuke (69%), giving them plenty of flexibility.
Given NAVI’s strengths, Imperial are likely to pick Overpass, where they have demonstrated strong defense and tactical synergy. In the second round of bans, they will probably remove Train to avoid NAVI’s best map.
As a result, the decider will most likely be Inferno — a balanced map that both teams play frequently and with solid results.
Head-to-Head Record
In the past six months, NAVI and Imperial have not faced each other. This adds intrigue to the matchup, as neither roster has direct experience playing against the other in their current form. The match will be a true test of how NAVI’s structured approach handles the fiery South American aggression of Imperial.
Match Prediction: NAVI vs Imperial — Thunderpick World Championship 2025
Although Imperial boast stronger overall statistics in recent months, NAVI appear more composed when facing top-tier opponents and have proven they can perform under pressure on big stages. Their deeper map pool, structured play, and LAN experience give them the edge.
Expect NAVI to win 2–1, taking Nuke and the decider Inferno, while Imperial may steal Overpass with their strong defensive setups.
Prediction: NAVI to win 2–1
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