The Monte vs Natus Vincere matchup at BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1 promises to be one of the most intriguing clashes of the stage, as a team in excellent recent form faces one of the world’s biggest CS2 powerhouses. For Monte, this is a chance to cement their status as a dangerous underdog, while Natus Vincere enter the match as clear favorites, from whom a confident result is expected. The best-of-three format, a deep map pool, and the lack of recent head-to-head meetings only add more intrigue to this encounter.
Bookmakers’ View: Natus Vincere Are the Favorites
From a bookmakers’ perspective, Natus Vincere are considered the favorites in this matchup. This is hardly surprising given the team’s status, extensive experience at major LAN events, and their recent performance at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, where NAVI reached the semifinals. Even despite some inconsistencies in individual matches, NAVI rarely lose without a fight to teams at Monte’s level, which is also reflected in the odds. Over the course of a full series, NAVI’s experience and roster depth lead most analysts to favor the “Born to Win.”
Monte’s Current Form: What to Expect from Monte
Over the past three months, Monte have looked like a solid and well-organized team, capable of steadily improving from tournament to tournament. Playing 48 maps and winning 28 of them is not just positive statistics, but a clear indicator of a team that feels confident across various matchups and knows how to adapt to different opponents’ styles. Monte rarely collapse completely in a series and usually manage to put up a fight even against more established teams.
- Monte roster: Gizmy, afro, AZUWU, Bymas, Rainwaker
A key milestone was their triumph at DreamHack Knockout Stockholm 2025, where Monte secured first place. Winning a single-elimination tournament highlighted their mental resilience and strong preparation against specific opponents. Their current form is also supported by results from their last five matches: four wins over FUT, OG, GenOne, and 500 demonstrate consistency and control. The lone loss to SINNERS looks more like a minor setback than a systemic issue. Overall, Monte approach the match against NAVI in good shape and with a clear understanding of their strongest maps.
Natus Vincere’s Current Form: What to Expect from NAVI
Over the last three months, Natus Vincere have played 37 maps, winning 21 of them—a solid record considering the level of opposition. Unlike Monte, NAVI have faced tier-one teams more frequently, which partly explains their less consistent win rate. However, these matches provide valuable experience ahead of key series. Their most notable achievement was a top 3–4 finish at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, a result that confirms the roster’s competitiveness on the biggest stage, while still leaving the feeling that a grand final appearance was within reach.
- Natus Vincere roster: b1t, Aleksib, iM, w0nderful, makazze
In decisive matches, NAVI have shown strong individual performances but occasionally struggled with execution and fine details. Wins over FURIA, B8, and paiN highlight their ability to confidently handle teams of equal or lower caliber. At the same time, losses to FaZe and Vitality indicate that NAVI still have issues against top-tier opponents, especially in long, demanding series. Nevertheless, in a best-of-three format, NAVI remain extremely dangerous due to their deep map pool and experience in clutch situations.
Monte’s Map Pool
Monte approach this series with a fairly flexible but clearly structured veto strategy. Most often, the team removes Inferno, and there is a high probability that this map will be their first ban. Inferno does not suit Monte’s playstyle, and their results there do not justify taking risks against such an experienced opponent.
When choosing their own map, Monte typically consider not only their comfort picks but also the opponent’s weaknesses. Against NAVI, Dust2 or Mirage look like the most logical choices. Both maps boast Monte’s highest win rates, while appearing less stable for NAVI—especially Dust2. Ancient is another strong option for Monte, though it is more often saved for later stages of the veto.
In the second banning phase, Monte are likely to target Nuke, where Natus Vincere often experiment and can impose a very demanding tactical game. Overall, Monte’s map pool gives them a realistic chance to contest at least one map in the series.
Natus Vincere’s Map Pool
Natus Vincere traditionally start the veto by banning Overpass, and this series is unlikely to be an exception. The map has long been outside NAVI’s core pool, making this decision almost guaranteed. This allows the team to narrow the veto down to more comfortable options early on.
When selecting their own pick, NAVI usually focus on the strengths of their map pool and the opponent’s inconsistencies. The most obvious choice is Mirage, where the team boasts an 88% win rate and a seven-map winning streak. Inferno is also a possible option if it remains available, as Monte tend to avoid it and NAVI have repeatedly used it to pressure opponents.
During the final banning phase, Natus Vincere may remove Anubis or Ancient, depending on how the earlier veto unfolds. However, if Ancient remains in the pool, it looks like a logical decider map, as both teams have strong win rates there and well-developed strategies.
Head-to-Head Record
Monte and Natus Vincere have not faced each other in official matches over the past six months. The absence of recent head-to-head encounters adds extra intrigue, as neither team has had the opportunity to directly adapt to the other within the current CS2 meta.
Match Prediction: Monte vs Natus Vincere — BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1
Monte come into the match in good form with excellent results on their key maps, giving them a real chance to challenge the favorites. At the same time, Natus Vincere possess significantly more big-stage experience and a more stable level of individual skill. The most likely scenario is a Natus Vincere victory, with Monte capable of taking their own map pick, but NAVI ultimately closing out the series thanks to superior class and map pool depth.
Prediction: Natus Vincere to win 2–1.
