Welcome to all esports and Dota 2 fans! From January 18 to 20, 2026, the ESL One Birmingham 2026: Western Europe Closed Qualifier will take place, where teams will compete for a spot in the main tournament. Eight teams will participate, including well-known organizations. Today, we are covering one of the Lower Bracket Semifinal matches, Team Liquid vs MOUZ, which promises to be very exciting. While the teams are preparing for the match, we will try to determine the likely winner and provide some betting tips.
How the bookies view it: MOUZ favorite
Most bookmakers consider MOUZ the favorites in the match against Team Liquid at the ESL One Birmingham 2026: Western Europe Closed Qualifier. The team made good progress in the previous season and reached a fairly high level of play.
Team Liquid form
Let's begin our Dota 2 betting prediction with an analysis of Team Liquid form. This team is one of the most well-known in esports, especially in Dota 2, so there’s a lot we could say — but we’ll focus on the essentials.
Team Liquid roster: miCKe, Nisha, Ace, Boxi, tOfu.
Team Liquid did not start the 2025 season very well. At BLAST Slam II, the team finished the Group Stage with a 2-2 score, and in the playoffs they lost their first match and were eliminated from the tournament, placing 7th–8th.
Team Liquid performed at a similar level at DreamLeague Season 25. In the Group Stage, the team finished with a 1-5-1 score, and in Group Stage 2 with a 1-6 score, after which they were eliminated from the tournament in 7th place.
Team Liquid performed significantly better at PGL Wallachia Season 3. In the Group Stage, the team finished with a 3-0 score, and in the playoffs they reached the grand final through the upper bracket. In the grand final, Team Liquid defeated Tundra Esports 3-1 and became the champions of the tournament.
The team performed slightly below expectations at ESL One Raleigh 2025, finishing in 5th–6th place.
Team Liquid also won PGL Wallachia Season 4. In the Group Stage, the team finished with a 3-1 score, marking victories over Nigma Galaxy, Xtreme Gaming, and Tidebound. In the playoffs, the team reached the grand final, where they defeated PV 3-2 and became the champions of the tournament.
At online tournaments, Team Liquid perform slightly worse than on LAN. The team participated in BLAST Slam III and DreamLeague Season 26, where they placed 9th–10th and 8th respectively.
At PGL Wallachia Season 5, Team Liquid performed at a fairly good level, finishing in 3rd place.
At one of the main tournaments of the year, Esports World Cup 2025, Team Liquid performed below expectations. The team won their group in the Group Stage, but lost their first playoff match and were eliminated from the tournament, finishing in the top 8.
At The International 2025, Team Liquid performed below expectations. The reigning champions finished the group stage with a 3-2 score but were eliminated in the elimination stage after losing to Tundra Esports, placing 9th–13th in the tournament.
The team also took part in BLAST Slam IV, but not very successfully, finishing in 9th–10th place.
At PGL Wallachia Season 6, Team Liquid once again performed well, finishing in 3rd place and confirming that this tournament series is their most successful.
At DreamLeague Season 27, Team Liquid performed below the expected level. The team finished the Group Stage with a 3–3 record and was eliminated from the tournament, placing 9th–16th.
Most popular Team Liquid heroes
Here are the most picked and highest winrate heroes for Team Liquid over the last 6 months:
- Snapfire — 30 games — 50.00% winrate
- Tusk — 25 games — 56.00% winrate
- Puck — 24 games — 58.33% winrate
- Kez — 18 games — 55.56% winrate
- Monkey King — 17 games — 76.47% winrate
- Batrider — 16 games — 62.50% winrate
- Centaur Warrunner — 15 games — 66.67% winrate
- Dragon Knight — 15 games — 60.00% winrate
- Axe — 14 games — 50.00% winrate
- Lycan — 13 games — 76.92% winrate
Team Liquid aren’t always consistent, but when they hit their stride, they’re extremely difficult to stop.
MOUZ form
Let's continue our Dota 2 betting tips with an analysis of MOUZ form. MOUZ was founded back in 2008 and was one of the first professional Dota 2 teams. The squad showed excellent results at the early stages of esports development, but due to frequent roster changes, MOUZ eventually disbanded. The team made a full return to the professional scene in 2024. The team is currently in good form and is one of the strongest in the European region.
MOUZ roster: Crystallis, MidOne, BOOM, yamich, Seleri.
In the 2025 season, MOUZ continued to participate in a large number of qualifiers but without significant success.
Among their performances at Tier-3 level tournaments, the 5th–6th place at European Pro League Season 23 and the 3rd place at CCT Season 2 Series 3 are worth noting.
In the autumn part of the season, MOUZ made several roster changes and improved their results. The team won the PGL Wallachia Season 6: Western Europe Closed Qualifier and RES Unchained 2: BLAST Slam V Europe Closed Qualifier, securing spots in major tournaments.
At BLAST Slam IV, MOUZ showed very strong gameplay. In the group stage, the team finished with a 7–4 record, defeated Team Aureus in the Play-In, and advanced to the playoffs. In the quarterfinals, MOUZ beat Team Spirit, but in the semifinals lost to Tundra Esports and were eliminated, finishing in 3rd–4th place.
At PGL Wallachia Season 6, MOUZ were not among the favorites and even played with two stand-ins. However, the team demonstrated an unexpectedly high level of play, earned victories over many top teams, and became the champions of the tournament.
At BLAST Slam V, MOUZ continue to play at a high level. The team finished the Group Stage with a 7–4 record and defeated Yakult Brothers in the Play-In, qualifying for the playoffs. In the playoffs, the team defeated NAVI, but lost to Tundra Esports and were eliminated from the tournament, finishing in 3rd–4th place.
At DreamLeague Season 27, MOUZ performed below expectations. In the Group Stage, the team finished with a 3–3 record and was eliminated from the tournament, placing 9th–16th.
Most popular MOUZ heroes
Here are the most picked and highest winrate heroes for MOUZ over the last 6 months:
- Tusk — 70 games — 68.57% winrate
- Snapfire — 50 games — 56.00% winrate
- Pudge — 47 games — 57.45% winrate
- Leshrac — 42 games — 69.05% winrate
- Tidehunter — 40 games — 67.50% winrate
- Nature's Prophet — 35 games — 68.57% winrate
- Juggernaut — 34 games — 70.59% winrate
- Mars — 33 games — 66.67% winrate
- Troll Warlord — 32 games — 59.38% winrate
- Gyrocopter — 30 games — 50.00% winrate
This season, MOUZ have shown solid progress and proven capable of defeating strong teams.
Team Liquid vs MOUZ Head-to-Head History
Team Liquid and MOUZ have played against each other 8 times, with the former winning 5 matches and the latter winning 3. The match at the ESL One Birmingham 2026: Western Europe Closed Qualifier is important, as the winner receives a slot in the main tournament.
Players to watch: miCKe and Seleri
Among the players on both teams, we highlight the captains — miCKe (Team Liquid) and Seleri (MOUZ). Both players demonstrate a high level of gameplay and strong statistics, making a significant contribution to their teams victories.
Predicted result of the match Team Liquid vs MOUZ at ESL One Birmingham 2026: Western Europe Closed Qualifier
Most analysts and experts consider MOUZ the favorites in the match against Team Liquid at the ESL One Birmingham 2026: Western Europe Closed Qualifier. The team made good progress in the previous season and reached a fairly high level of play. However, Team Liquid should not be underestimated, as it is one of the most well-known and strongest teams. In our opinion, Team Liquid will win this match. Which team are you supporting?
Betting Prediction: Team Liquid win.
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Inner Circle 
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