After NAVI’s confident victory at StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025 and Aurora’s consistent showings at regional events, both teams enter this matchup in solid form. This match will serve as a test of Aurora’s ambitions and a chance for NAVI to reaffirm their status as one of the main contenders for the ESL Pro League Season 22 title. A tight and tactical battle is expected, where experience and discipline could make the difference.
How the Bookmakers See It: NAVI the Favorites
Bookmakers give a slight edge to NAVI, considering them the favorites in this encounter. The team’s consistent results and deeper map pool strengthen their position in the odds. At the same time, Aurora is viewed as a capable underdog, dangerous on their best maps and able to push the series close, though NAVI’s recent form and experience make them the more likely winners.
Current Form of Aurora: What to Expect from Aurora
Aurora enters the match against NAVI in decent shape. Over the past three months, the team has played 31 maps, winning 18 — a result that reflects their stability. In the last month, Aurora competed at FISSURE Playground 2, finishing 5th–8th, showing competitive but not dominant form.
- Aurora roster: XANTARES, MAJ3R, Wicadia, woxic, jottAAA
In their last five matches, Aurora secured three wins — against FURIA, TYLOO, and Astralis — while losing to Liquid and The MongolZ. This shows that they can perform well against both European and American teams but can struggle with aggressive opponents in mid-round situations.
Current Form of NAVI: What to Expect from NAVI
NAVI display strong consistency and excellent team cohesion. Over the past three months, they have played 40 maps, winning 24, a solid record for a top-tier team. In September, NAVI were crowned champions of StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025, underscoring their peak form heading into ESL Pro League.
- NAVI roster: b1t, Aleksib, iM, w0nderful, makazze
In their last five matches, NAVI have won four — twice defeating NiP, and also overcoming Passion UA and 9INE, with their only loss coming against M80. The team looks confident and well-structured, with every player understanding their role and the in-game leader showing excellent strategic awareness.
Aurora’s Map Pool
Aurora will likely start by banning Ancient, their most common veto. Their map pick will most probably be Nuke, where they have an 80% win rate over the past three months. This map suits their structured playstyle and allows them to leverage fast rotations, efficient splits, and strong control of key areas.
Other potential choices for Aurora include Train and Overpass, both with a 100% win rate, though picking Train against NAVI could be risky since the opponent is also dominant there. For their second ban, Aurora are likely to remove Mirage, to avoid NAVI’s fast-paced and aggressive style on that map.
NAVI’s Map Pool
NAVI traditionally start by banning Dust2, which has long been their weakest map. Their pick will likely be Inferno, where they hold a 70% win rate and have well-practiced strategies on both sides. Their aggressive Banana control, sharp rotations, and composed leadership often allow them to dictate the pace early.
For the second ban, NAVI might remove Overpass, to avoid facing Aurora on a map where the latter have shown perfect form. As a result, the decider map will likely be Train — a battleground where both teams feel confident, promising an intense and evenly matched conclusion to the series.
Head-to-Head History
In the past six months, Aurora and NAVI have met only once — at PGL Astana 2025. NAVI claimed a 2:0 victory (Train 13:11, Inferno 13:10). Although both maps were close, NAVI were more composed in clutch situations and showed better late-round execution. That match proved that Aurora can challenge NAVI but still lack the consistency to close out key moments.
Match Prediction: NAVI vs Aurora — Main Stage, ESL Pro League S22
Aurora look like a dangerous team capable of challenging even top opponents. Their discipline on Nuke and strengths on Inferno or Train could earn them a map. However, NAVI are currently in their best form in months, carrying championship momentum from StarLadder, with a deeper map pool and stronger individual performances.
Prediction: NAVI to win 2:1
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