The match between NRG and Imperial promises to be one of the most intense clashes in the fight for a place in the second stage of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025. Both teams enter the tournament with their own strengths and weaknesses, and the bo3 format will allow them to fully showcase the depth of their mappool and preparation. For NRG, this is a chance to prove their form despite a forced roster change, while Imperial aim to rely on their experience and stability to take another step toward the playoff stage. This matchup may define the trajectory of both teams at the Major, making the stakes incredibly high.
How Bookmakers See It: Imperial Are the Favorites
Analysts at betting companies lean toward Imperial as the favorites, primarily due to NRG having to play with coach daps instead of nitr0. This factor significantly affects the perceived chances: despite NRG’s recent success, bookmakers account for the loss of their in-game leader and potential issues with stability and communication. Meanwhile, Imperial field a more consistent lineup with enough experience to exploit the opponent’s weaknesses, which shifts the odds in their favor.
NRG’s Current Form: What to Expect from NRG
Over the past three months, NRG have shown solid consistency with 36 wins across 52 maps. In the past month, the team competed at Fragadelphia Ultra Mega Jersey 2025 and ESL Challenger League Season 50 North America Finals, winning both tournaments — a strong indicator of their peak form.
- NRG roster: Jeorge, br0, XotiC, Sonic, daps
Out of their last five matches, NRG won three — against FaZe, NiP, and SkinRave — losing only to M80 and fnatic. This demonstrates that the team remains competitive even against strong opponents.
Imperial’s Current Form: What to Expect from Imperial
Imperial have played 61 maps over the past three months, winning 38, which is a respectable record for a team maintaining an active competitive rhythm. In the last month, the Brazilians secured a 3–4th place finish at DreamHack Knockout Atlanta 2025 and finished fourth at Circuit X Retake São Paulo 2025.
- Imperial roster: VINI, noway, try, chelo, skullz
In their last five matches, Imperial have won only twice — against The Huns and Rare Atom — while losing to Fnatic, FlyQuest, and Galorys. This suggests certain issues with stability and difficulty against stronger teams.
NRG’s Map Pool
NRG almost always start a series by banning Ancient, their most consistent veto. For their pick, the team will almost certainly choose Mirage, where they hold an impressive 80% win rate and have already played it 10 times with strong performances. Inferno and Train could also work, but Mirage remains their most reliable choice. In the second ban phase, NRG are likely to remove Dust2, as Imperial frequently pick this map and perform well on it. Overall, NRG’s approach is to secure comfort maps and deny Imperial their strong options.
Imperial’s Map Pool
Imperial typically begin with an Ancient ban as well, but since NRG will remove it first, the Brazilians will need to adjust. The most logical ban becomes Train, one of NRG's best maps. For their own pick, Imperial are expected to choose Overpass, where they boast a 75% win rate and have played it 12 times with confidence. Mirage and Dust2 are also possible choices, but Overpass offers the best win condition against NRG. In the second ban phase, Imperial will likely remove Inferno to prevent NRG from gaining access to another strong map. The decider left in this scenario is Nuke, which will serve as a final test for both teams.
Head-to-Head Matchups
In the past six months, NRG and Imperial have not faced each other. This match at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 will be their first meeting with their current rosters and form, adding unpredictability and intrigue to the series.
Match Prediction: NRG vs Imperial — StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 1
Despite NRG’s impressive results over the last month, the replacement of nitr0 with coach daps significantly weakens their potential in this matchup. Losing a stable IGL and a key player affects communication, round structure, and overall stability during crucial moments.
Imperial, although not in perfect form, have a strong Overpass and tend to perform better against teams playing with stand-ins. Combined with their individual firepower, this gives the Brazilians a real opportunity to capitalize on NRG’s weakened setup.
Prediction: Imperial win 2:1.
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