FaZe and Inner Circle are set to face off in a decisive elimination match at ESL Pro League Season 22, where a loss means the end of the road. For FaZe, this is an opportunity to prove that experience and top-tier pedigree still matter, while Inner Circle will aim to pull off an upset and solidify their place on the international stage. The match promises to be intense, as both teams have different goals but the same motivation — survival in the tournament.
Bookmakers’ View: FaZe Are the Favorites
Bookmakers see FaZe as the clear favorites in this matchup despite their recent inconsistency. Their individual skill level, experience in major tournaments, and tactical depth make them the preferred choice for most analysts. Inner Circle have been showing solid progress and could cause trouble on specific maps, but the overall difference in class and experience still tilts the balance in favor of FaZe.
FaZe’s Current Form: What to Expect from FaZe
FaZe are going through a rough patch. Over the past three months, the team has played 48 maps and won only 25 — just over half. Their most recent tournament was FISSURE Playground 2, where they finished 9–11th, a disappointing result for an organization of their caliber.
- FaZe lineup: broky, karrigan, frozen, rain, Twistzz
Their last five matches don’t paint a better picture — the only win came against Astralis, while losses to 3DMAX, Liquid, The MongolZ, and Team Falcons highlighted their current instability, especially against aggressive and structured opponents. However, FaZe still possess strong individual firepower that could make the difference in crucial moments of the series.
Inner Circle’s Current Form: What to Expect from Inner Circle
Inner Circle, on the other hand, have been on an upward trajectory. In the last three months, they played 35 maps and won 19. Their standout performance came at ESEA Advanced Season 54 Europe, where they finished 2nd and placed 1–2 in the opening stage of the event.
- Inner Circle lineup: nifee, Flierax, onic, Dawy, cairne
The team’s recent form looks promising — they have won three of their last five matches against The MongolZ, Gentle Mates, and GamerLegion, losing only to FURIA and Team Spirit. Inner Circle perform well against mid-tier teams and have shown the ability to challenge stronger opponents when in good rhythm.
FaZe Map Pool
FaZe tend to avoid Train and focus on more dynamic maps. Ancient is their comfort pick, where they look strong thanks to disciplined positioning and a high win rate. Dust2 and Mirage also suit FaZe’s aggressive style and allow them to fully leverage their mechanical prowess. If they can dictate the tempo early, FaZe are capable of controlling the match flow through well-rehearsed setups on these maps.
Inner Circle Map Pool
Inner Circle take a more adaptive approach, choosing maps based on their opponents’ weaknesses. They feel most comfortable on Mirage, where their structured teamplay and coordination shine, while Dust2 and Train have also brought them consistent success. Inferno, however, remains their weak spot, so they typically avoid it. Their flexibility and ability to adjust quickly could be a key advantage against FaZe in this series.
Head-to-Head
In the past six months, FaZe and Inner Circle have not faced each other, making this their first official encounter. That adds an extra layer of intrigue, as both teams will have limited knowledge of each other’s tactical habits, which could lead to a chaotic and unpredictable start.
Match Prediction: FaZe vs Inner Circle — Elimination Match at ESL Pro League Season 22
Despite FaZe’s recent struggles, they remain the favorites due to their experience, roster strength, and deeper map pool. Their Ancient should be strong enough to secure the opening map. However, Inner Circle’s solid structure and preparation could allow them to fight back on Mirage and potentially push the match to a deciding map.
If FaZe can stabilize their play on Dust2, the likely outcome is a 2–1 victory for them. Still, if they falter mid-series, Inner Circle have every chance to deliver a minor upset.
Prediction: FaZe 2–1 Inner Circle.
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