Match Prediction: Astralis - NiP | CS2 (CS:GO)

Astralis and Ninjas in Pajamas will meet in the first round of the Play-In stage at BLAST Premier Spring Groups 2023. The winner of this match will face FaZe Clan or OG, which does not promise much prospects.

And the teams themselves can hardly boast of something special. And if the Danish team still cannot find their game, then Ninjas in Pajamas was left without hampus and had to play with a guy from the academy.

In general, the situation is interesting, since both teams did not reveal themselves at the group stage. Moreover, Astralis did not get a single victory at all, while the Swedes managed to upset BIG.

Nevertheless, it is difficult for me personally to identify a favorite, because under certain conditions, teams can show themselves and gnaw out a card. Therefore, here I would take a closer look at three cards that seem quite logical given the current conditions.

Astralis shape

The eighteenth team of the world ranking at the end of last season tried their hand at CCT North Europe Series 2 and CCT Central Europe Series 4, but even there they managed without much success.

However, at the group stage of BLAST Premier Spring Groups 2023, the Danish team did not play better, as they lost to Vitality in the first match and did not improve in the fight.

However, Astralis continued to lose to Heroic, despite winning on the first map. In general, the situation for the Danes is difficult, and in a short period of time the guys are unlikely to fix something.

Astralis latest results:

• Victory over 1WIN with a score of 2:1.
• 2-0 victory over Apeks.
• Lost to Copenhagen Flames with a score of 1:2.
• Defeat from Vitality with a score of 0:2.
• Defeat from Heroic with a score of 1:2.

Best Astralis cards:

• Nuke - 80% win rate.
• Ancient - 75% of wins.

It is worth noting that the Danish team is refusing the Anubis card for the time being.

Uniform Ninjas in Pajamas

The sixteenth team in the world ranking last season did not show “anything” at the BLAST Premier Fall Final 2022. The Swedish team stopped there in the quarterfinals, but made it there with great difficulty.

However, at the start of BLAST Premier Spring Groups 2023, the guys continued to experience difficulties. It all comes down to the fact that Ninjas in Pajamas lost twice to NAVI.

You can remember the victory over BIG, but even there the Swedes looked extremely difficult. And if you consider that the team was left without a leader, then you can write off a couple of points to the guys in advance.

Latest Ninjas in Pajamas results:

• Victory over Natus Vincere with a score of 2:1.
• Defeat from FaZe Clan with a score of 1:2.
• Defeat from Natus Vincere with a score of 1:2.
• Victory over BIG with a score of 2:0.
• Defeat from Natus Vincere with a score of 1:2.

Best Ninjas in Pajamas cards:

• Inferno - 50% win rate.
• Mirage - 50% of wins.

In turn, the Swedish team also refuses the Anubis card.

Match statistics Astralis — Ninjas in Pajamas

As part of the last season, the teams held one meeting - at IEM Road to Rio 2022 Europe RMR A, the victory went to Ninjas in Pajamas (16:12).

Prediction for Astralis vs Ninjas in Pajamas

To put it bluntly, I have doubts about both teams. If Astralis simply failed to open up and the guys need time, then Ninjas in Pajamas weakened a little after the forced departure of hampus.

If you look at the game, it's hard to say anything specifically. The Danes play according to the situation, and the Swedes often do not finish shooting. It's interesting to see the cards here, though, since both teams don't play Anubis.

And yet, it seems to me that in such an equal situation we will see an exchange of cards and the teams will go to the desider. And in essence, there is no favorite here, although the odds are more in favor of Astralis.

Therefore, in this case, I would recommend betting on Total on cards 2.5 more.