The match between Virtus.pro and Vitality at BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1 is set to be one of the most intriguing clashes of the tournament’s early stage. The teams enter the series with very different momentum and ambitions: Virtus.pro are looking to prove their competitiveness against the elite, while Vitality step onto the server as the reigning Major champions and one of the main favorites of the event. The best-of-three format, deep map pools, and a recent head-to-head meeting create ideal conditions for a tense and highly strategic series.
How bookmakers see it: Vitality are the favorites
From a bookmakers’ perspective, the favorite of this matchup is clear. Vitality approach the game against Virtus.pro as the team expected to control the series. This outlook is driven by Vitality’s excellent form: their victory at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, a five-match winning streak against top-tier opponents, and a high win rate on key maps make them a reliable pick in a bo3.
Virtus.pro, meanwhile, are viewed as underdogs in betting lines — a team capable of taking a map, but with lower chances of winning the entire series due to inconsistent results and a relatively limited comfort map pool. As a result, the market largely expects a Vitality win, most often predicting a 2–0 or 2–1 scoreline, depending on whether Virtus.pro can successfully convert their map pick.
Current form of Virtus.pro: What to expect
Over the past three months, Virtus.pro have played 17 maps and secured 9 victories, reflecting a wave-like form. The team can look convincing on individual maps and during certain stretches of matches, but they still lack consistency across full series against top-level opponents. Over the last month, Virtus.pro have not had any official tournament appearances, meaning their current level is assessed mainly based on previous matches and overall game dynamics.
- Virtus.pro roster: FL1T, fame, Perfecto, tO0RO, b1st
In their last five matches, Virtus.pro earned two wins — against FaZe and MIBR — which can be considered positives, as the team showed solid economy management and clutch play in both series. However, losses to G2, Vitality, and 3DMAX exposed key issues: slow adaptation to opponents’ adjustments, unstable starts to maps, and mid-half collapses. Against Vitality, Virtus.pro will need to play their strongest maps with maximum discipline and avoid long streaks of lost rounds.
Current form of Vitality: What to expect
Vitality enter this matchup as one of the most stable and dangerous teams on the CS2 professional scene. Over the last three months, they have played 46 maps and won 30 of them, clearly illustrating their high match intensity and confidence across different game scenarios. The standout achievement was their triumph at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, where Vitality not only won the tournament but also showcased a mature, well-structured style of play. The team stood out for strong map starts, excellent information control, and the ability to punish opponents quickly for any positioning mistakes.
- Vitality roster: apEX, ZywOo, flameZ, mezii, ropz
A five-match winning streak against FaZe, Spirit, The MongolZ, Natus Vincere, and B8 further highlights Vitality’s deep map pool and versatility. The team feels comfortable both in slow, tactical games and in fast-paced firefights, making them an extremely difficult opponent for teams at Virtus.pro’s level. Ahead of BLAST Bounty, Vitality look fully prepared both in terms of form and strategic depth.
Virtus.pro map pool
For Virtus.pro, the veto stage in a bo3 format is traditionally built around hiding weaknesses and trying to punish opponents on more niche maps. First and foremost, Virtus.pro are highly likely to ban Nuke — a map they remove most often and on which they feel least confident. This is almost a guaranteed opening ban from their side.
As for their pick, Virtus.pro usually try to tailor it to the opponent. Against Vitality, Overpass looks like the most logical choice, where VP boast a 75% win rate and have repeatedly shown an ability to control the pace of the game. Dust2 or Mirage could be alternative but less likely options, as their lower win rates on those maps make them risky.
In the second ban phase, Virtus.pro are likely to remove Mirage, given Vitality’s near-perfect statistics on the map. This would help VP avoid a scenario where their opponent gains a significant advantage through superior individual firepower and structure.
Vitality map pool
Vitality approach the veto phase from a position of strength and map pool depth, allowing them to dictate conditions from the very start. The most obvious opening ban for Vitality is Ancient — the map they remove most frequently and on which they have the smallest sample size. It also happens to be one of Virtus.pro’s strongest maps, making this ban particularly logical.
For their pick, Vitality are very likely to consider Dust2, where they hold an 86% win rate and consistently look dominant against most opponents. Inferno remains an option, but Dust2 appears to be the optimal choice for imposing an aggressive style and constant pressure. In the second ban phase, Vitality may remove Inferno, further limiting Virtus.pro’s comfort picks. In this scenario, Vitality would deliberately head into a map without a clear statistical edge.
Anubis looks like the most likely decider — a map where in-game adaptation, reading the opponent, and the individual form of key players will play a decisive role.
Head-to-head history
Over the past six months, Virtus.pro and Vitality have met once — at IEM Chengdu 2025. Vitality won that series 2–1, taking Mirage (13:4) and Dust2 (13:11), while Virtus.pro claimed Overpass (13:9). The series showed that VP can put up a fight, but Vitality are better at adapting in crucial moments.
Match prediction: Virtus.pro vs Vitality – BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1
Considering current form, recent tournament results, and map pool depth, Vitality look like the clear favorites in this matchup. Virtus.pro may be able to take a map, especially if the series reaches Overpass or Anubis, but over the full bo3 distance, Vitality’s stability and class should prove decisive.
Prediction: Vitality to win 2–1.
#44
Inner Circle Esports
FOKUSWatch match
