Who Will Win in Rio?

Who will win IEM Rio? It’s the question that every CS:GO esports fan is asking right now. With the IEM Rio 2023 Playoffs upon us, the excitement is palpable. Competition is hotting up. Will it be NAVI, BIG, Heroic, FURIA, Cloud9 or Team Vitality? The stakes are high, as these six teams fight for one of CS:GO’s biggest prizes. Everyone will be eagerly waiting to see who comes out on top. Today, I’ll be taking a look at each of the remaining teams to assess who might come out on top.

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FURIA

As the final Brazilian team, FURIA have the home advantage that saw them reach the Semi-Finals of the IEM Rio Major 2022. So far, FURIA have required KSCERATO’s brilliance to carry them, and they’ll need more if they’re to advance beyond Heroic and NAVI, who are in great form.

While IEM Rio betting odds have FURIA as an outsider, they could be good value if Heroic or NAVI have a lapse in form over the next few days.

Prediction: FURIA out to Heroic

Heroic

Next is Heroic, who have played through jabbi’s illness during the Groups. The Danes fare well against the teams in the bracket, but have a knack for reaching Finals, and falling at the final hurdle. It could become a mental block for Heroic if it happens again.

With every Heroic player capable of huge performances, they’re a serious contender for IEM Rio 2023. Their RMR performance was flawless, and winning their first title since BLAST Premier: Fall Finals 2022 would be the perfect way to top off a great month.

Prediction: Heroic out to NAVI

BIG

BIG must be wondering how they got here. After their Major qualification disappointment, the team have a shot at glory in Rio. BIG have found a new level since replacing syrsoN with hyped, beating Heroic en route to the Playoffs.

CS:GO betting sites still have BIG down as massive outsiders, understandably so. The German organization has never won a tournament of this size, and we don’t expect that to change at IEM Rio 2023.

Prediction: BIG out to Vitality

Vitality

Vitality represent an interesting option for IEM Rio 2023 bettors. They’re in the Quarter-Finals due to a slip-up against OG, but have dominated ever since. Star ZywOo is in world-class form, while Spinx has provided multiple 30+ kill performances along the way.

ESL Pro League Season 16 was the team’s last competition win, but with only BIG and Cloud9 between them and the Grand Final, they can go far in Rio. The team have benefitted from becoming early masters of Anubis, winning 5 out of their last 6 on the new map. If they can get some Anubis matches, they’ve got a great shot here.

Prediction: Vitality out to NAVI

Cloud9

After flopping in the Major RMR, Cloud9 need a quick bounce-back. They won’t be in Paris in May, so this is their last chance for a big title for a while. AWPer sh1ro has been flawless so far, and he’ll be key to their Rio chances, as the team adapts to buster’s arrival.

An impressive FURIA win is their tournament peak so far. It’ll take more than sh1ro to take them further, but if they bring their best form, they could be a good value bet.

Prediction: Cloud9 out to Vitality

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NAVI

NAVI are well-and-truly back. After growing pains with npl, they’re fragging again, with electroNic looking comfortable in that IGL role. On a six-match winning streak, NAVI haven’t dropped a map since March. The resurgence of s1mple has helped considerably, and they’re hungry for the first title with their new roster.

CS:GO betting for beginners has usually dictated betting on NAVI, but over the last few months that hasn’t been the case – until now. Earning an immediate Semi-Finals place is perfect, and allows them to avoid a banana slip in the Quarter-Finals. Right now, NAVI are our pick for the IEM Rio 2023 winner.

Prediction: NAVI to win IEM Rio 2023

Images courtesy of ESL.