Ahead of their match at StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 3, the clash between Imperial and The MongolZ carries significant weight, as both teams enter this stage during a challenging period of the season. Analysts and fans are closely monitoring their current form, map pools, and recent results to understand which side has the better chance to advance at one of the year’s most important tournaments.
How the bookmakers see it: The MongolZ are the favorites
Bookmakers rate The MongolZ as the favorites in this matchup, pointing to their more stable performance in key games and a playstyle that often causes serious problems for Imperial. Analysts highlight the Mongolian team’s aggression, their ability to pressure opponents from the opening rounds, and how effectively they leverage their strengths on maps that are likely to appear in the series.
While Imperial are currently experiencing a noticeable downturn—losing to teams of their own and even lower tiers—The MongolZ show the potential for surprising, yet well-earned, victories. This makes them a logical pick for bookmakers heading into this match.
Imperial’s current form: What to expect from Imperial
Imperial approach the match with a solid foundation: over the past three months, they have secured 42 wins across 63 maps, a strong indicator of their competitiveness. However, the past month has been far less consistent. The team placed 4th at Circuit X Retake São Paulo 2025, finished inside the top 8 at StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 1, and ended Stage 2 in the 3–5th place range.
- Imperial roster: VINI, noway, try, chelo, skullz
Despite their generally stable form, the end of Stage 2 proved difficult — Imperial lost four of their last five matches, falling to M80, fnatic, MIBR, NRG, and Natus Vincere. These results point to a decline against mid- and high-tier opponents, as well as struggles with consistency in decisive moments. Nonetheless, across a longer tournament run, Imperial remain capable of challenging strong teams.
The MongolZ’s current form: What to expect from The MongolZ
The MongolZ have played nearly the same number of maps as Imperial over the past three months — 64, but with a significantly weaker result: only 32 victories. Their last month has been average in terms of performance: 5th–6th at IEM Chengdu 2025 and 7th–8th at BLAST Rivals 2025 Season 2.
- The MongolZ roster: bLitz, Techno4K, 910, mzinho, controlez
In their last five matches, The MongolZ won twice — against Spirit and paiN — but also suffered losses to Spirit, Passion UA, and FURIA. The team remains inconsistent and highly dependent on the individual form of their star players. At the same time, victories over teams like Spirit demonstrate their potential to deliver surprising results.
Imperial Map Pool (Bo1)
In a Bo1, Imperial take a pragmatic approach. Their first and most predictable ban is Ancient, the team’s weakest map and a liability against any opponent. They then aim to narrow the pool toward comfortable scenarios for themselves while denying the opponent their best picks.
Their second likely ban is Inferno. Although Imperial can play it, this is the map where The MongolZ most often show their strongest aggressive form — a style that Imperial historically struggle against.
Closer to the end of the veto phase, Imperial usually remove maps where their opponents can force unpredictable situations. This makes Dust2 a probable late ban, eliminating the risk of “random” explosive plays from MongolZ.
Ultimately, Imperial aim to reach a position where one of the final maps is their most stable option. In a Bo1, the map they would prefer to keep is Overpass — their strongest map with a high win rate and tactical comfort.
The MongolZ Map Pool (Bo1)
For The MongolZ, the first ban is equally predictable: Train, a map they avoid in almost every format due to stylistic incompatibility.
From here, they adapt to their opponent. Since Overpass is one of Imperial’s best maps, The MongolZ will likely remove Overpass as their second or third ban to avoid playing into the Brazilians’ strength.
Next, they are expected to ban Nuke, another map where Imperial have a very high win rate and clear structural advantages.
Toward the end of the veto, The MongolZ will try to steer the pool toward a map that complements their aggression. The final choice typically narrows down to Mirage or Inferno. But if Inferno is banned by Imperial, MongolZ will work to ensure that Mirage remains — a map they know well, play consistently, and can use to dictate tempo.
Head-to-head record
Over the past six months, Imperial and The MongolZ have not faced each other, adding intrigue to this matchup. Without recent official games between them, the outcome may heavily depend on analytical preparation and the ability to adapt mid-match.
Prediction — Imperial vs The MongolZ: StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 3
Although Imperial have stronger long-term statistics, their current form raises legitimate concerns. The team has lost four of their last five matches, and those defeats came not only against top-tier opponents but also against mid-level teams. This points to timing issues, inconsistent tempo, and noticeable tactical errors.
Meanwhile, The MongolZ remain one of the most unpredictable Asian teams on the scene. They often step up in high-stakes matches, performing well above expectations. Even without Ancient — which Imperial will surely ban — the Mongolian squad can rely on Inferno, a map where they excel. It is here that The MongolZ can impose a fast pace, break down Imperial’s defensive structures, and turn rounds into chaotic micro-fights that favor their style.
Crucially, The MongolZ’s strengths directly exploit Imperial’s current weaknesses. When Imperial lose tempo or mismanage space on the map, MongolZ are the kind of team that punishes instantly. In a Bo1, this can become decisive, as even short bursts of momentum can completely shift the outcome.
Prediction: The MongolZ to win.
