The ESL Pro League Season 22 semifinal between FaZe and Vitality promises to be a true clash of titans. Both teams enter the match in strong form, with recent winning streaks and impressive individual performances. FaZe are seeking revenge after their loss at BLAST Open London 2025, while Vitality aim to reaffirm their status as one of the top contenders of the season. Expect a duel of experience, tactics, and composure — where every round could prove decisive.
How Bookmakers See It: Vitality as Favorites
Bookmakers consider Vitality the favorites for this semifinal, pointing to their stable form and confident victories at recent events. The team shows a high level of coordination, and ZywOo is once again among the world’s best players, adding confidence to the entire roster. Furthermore, Vitality’s recent victory over FaZe at BLAST Open London 2025 solidified their image as a more cohesive and consistent team. Still, FaZe are expected to put up a serious fight, making this matchup an intense and thrilling one.
FaZe’s Current Form: What to Expect from FaZe
FaZe have been showing consistent — though not flawless — form. Over the last three months, they have played 55 maps and won 31, a respectable record that speaks to their stability. In August–September, FaZe placed 9–11th at FISSURE Playground 2, but made up for it with a powerful run at ESL Pro League Season 22, reaching the semifinals.
- FaZe lineup: broky, karrigan, frozen, rain, Twistzz
From their last five matches, FaZe won four — against Spirit, Aurora, Inner Circle, and Astralis — with their only loss coming against 3DMAX. Overall, the team looks confident. In-game leader karrigan deserves special mention for his smart mid-round calls and ability to adapt quickly to opponents’ strategies.
Vitality’s Current Form: What to Expect from Vitality
Vitality are currently in excellent shape. Over the past three months, they’ve won 36 out of 53 maps, displaying both consistency and synergy. Last month, the team finished 2nd at BLAST Open London 2025, and they’ve now reached the semifinals of ESL Pro League Season 22.
- Vitality lineup: apEX, ZywOo, flameZ, mezii, Spinx
In their last five matches, Vitality have secured four wins — against FURIA, G2, HOTU, and GamerLegion — with a single loss to Gentle Mates. ZywOo continues to perform at a world-class level, while flameZ and Spinx provide solid support and reliable fragging power in crucial rounds.
FaZe’s Map Pool
FaZe consistently avoid Train, which is their most frequent ban. In this semifinal, they are likely to remove it first. Their strongest maps are Mirage (75%), Ancient (73%), and Dust2 (56%). The team will likely opt for Ancient, where they perform confidently thanks to karrigan’s structured game plan and the sharp aim of ropz and broky.
If needed, FaZe could also rely on Mirage, a map that has often brought them success in key series. After choosing their map, FaZe are expected to ban Overpass to prevent Vitality from exploiting potential weaknesses.
Vitality’s Map Pool
Vitality usually ban Ancient, which could disrupt FaZe’s preparation. Their best maps are Dust2 (88%), Inferno (75%), and Nuke (67%), where they demonstrate well-coordinated team play.
Given the stats, Vitality will most likely choose Inferno, a map where they are comfortable against most opponents and often use it to pressure enemy economies. After that, the French side will probably ban Nuke, leaving Dust2 as the decider — a map where both teams have strong records and confidence.
Expected veto/pick order:
- FaZe ban Train
- Vitality ban Ancient
- FaZe pick Mirage
- Vitality pick Inferno
- FaZe ban Overpass
- Vitality ban Nuke
- Decider: Dust2
Dust2 looks like the perfect battleground for this semifinal — a balanced map that could produce a dramatic finish.
Head-to-Head Record
In the past six months, FaZe and Vitality have met once — at BLAST Open London 2025, where Vitality took a 2–1 victory:
- Inferno — 13:5 for Vitality
- Nuke — 19:16 for FaZe
- Mirage — 19:17 for Vitality
It was a close series, with ZywOo playing a decisive role on Mirage, securing victory in the final rounds. The result showed that FaZe can compete on equal footing, but Vitality currently hold a slight psychological edge.
Match Prediction: Battle for the ESL Pro League Season 22 Final FaZe vs Vitality
The ESL Pro League Season 22 semifinal between FaZe and Vitality is expected to be a tense and evenly matched series. FaZe have improved significantly after their underwhelming run at FISSURE Playground 2 and boast a deeper map pool, but Vitality are in better form overall and have stronger results on key maps.
A full three-map series seems likely. FaZe could take their pick (Mirage or Ancient), but Vitality have the upper hand on Inferno and Dust2, where their coordination and mid-round execution shine.
Prediction: Vitality to win 2–1.
