At IEM Chengdu 2025, two teams from different continents and playstyles will clash — Brazilian paiN and European Team Spirit. Both have the potential to deliver an exciting matchup, but differences in consistency and map pool depth may prove decisive. Can the Brazilians surprise the favorite, or will Spirit reaffirm their status as one of the strongest teams of the season? Let’s find out in this prediction.
Bookmakers’ View: Spirit as Clear Favorites
Analysts consider Team Spirit the obvious favorites in this matchup. The team has been demonstrating stable performances, strong statistics, and a broader map pool that allows flexible adaptation to any opponent.
paiN, on the other hand, are viewed as a team capable of creating intrigue only with proper preparation for specific maps. Overall expert consensus points to Spirit’s advantage in experience, individual skill, and stability, making them expected to control the match flow.
paiN’s Current Form: What to Expect
The Brazilian side approaches this match in inconsistent yet potentially dangerous form. Over the last three months, paiN have played 35 maps, winning 17. In the past month, they participated in two major tournaments — CS Asia Championships 2025, finishing 9–12th, and PGL Masters Bucharest 2025, where they reached the top 8.
- paiN lineup: biguzera, nqz, snow, dav1deuS, dgt
Their recent results show some progress — three wins in their last five matches, including victories over B8, GamerLegion, and Gentle Mates, but also losses to Legacy and FUT. Such performance highlights both their potential and inconsistency, especially when facing aggressive, high-pressure opponents.
Spirit’s Current Form: What to Expect
Team Spirit remain one of the top contenders for the Chengdu title. Over the past three months, they’ve played 40 maps and won 28, reflecting remarkable stability. Their most recent appearance was at ESL Pro League Season 22, where they finished 5–8th, losing only to top-tier teams.
- Spirit lineup: chopper, donk, sh1ro, zweih, tN1R
In their last five matches, Spirit also have three wins — against G2, HOTU, and Inner Circle — and losses to FaZe and G2 again. Despite a few setbacks, Spirit display strong tactical discipline and a deep map pool, reinforcing their favorite status.
paiN Map Pool
In a Bo3 format, paiN are likely to ban Train first, as they avoid it in most series. For their pick, the Brazilians will probably go for Mirage, their best map with a 57% win rate. It suits their aggressive style and highlights individual mechanics.
In the second ban phase, paiN may remove Ancient to prevent Spirit from playing one of their best maps. If the series goes to a decider, Nuke will likely remain, where paiN have a roughly 50% win rate.
Spirit Map Pool
Spirit typically start with a ban on Inferno, a map they consistently avoid. For their pick, the team is expected to choose Overpass, where they boast a perfect 100% win rate — a map that fully showcases their tactical strengths.
During the second ban phase, Spirit may remove Dust2 to deny paiN one of their comfort picks. If the series reaches a decider, Nuke is the most probable option. Though Spirit are less dominant there, their individual form could still secure the victory.
Thus, Nuke is the most likely decider, with both teams holding moderate performance levels (around 50% for paiN and 29% for Spirit), making it the key battleground.
Head-to-Head Record
In the past six months, paiN and Spirit have not faced each other, meaning both enter the match without recent direct history. This adds intrigue — Spirit will rely on their stability, while paiN might surprise with creative veto and map choices.
Prediction: paiN vs Spirit — IEM Chengdu 2025
Team Spirit enter the match as favorites due to their form, stability, and map pool depth. Their strongest maps, Overpass and Mirage, give them strategic leverage, while even a potential decider on Nuke seems manageable. paiN can put up a fight, especially if they capitalize on Mirage, but the skill and consistency gap remains visible.
Prediction: Team Spirit to win 2–0.
