What to expect from FURIA v. BIG

Despite an early loss to MOUZ, performances from Kaike "KSCERATO" Cerato and co. have netted FURIA a good position to make playoffs. Sitting 2-1, they only need to defeat BIG to make the playoffs of IEM Cologne. However, this match against the Germans will be no easy feat, with BIG looking somewhat revitalized coming into ESL Pro League Season 17.

It will not be either team's final opportunity to make playoffs, but a loss in this game means a trip to the last-chance stage, which would require two bo3 victories back-to-back to clinch the last playoff slot available in Group B.

The Fangs of FURIA

FURIA entered EPL with a chip on their shoulder after a terrible performance at IEM Katowice. A loss to FURIA after a victory over Imperial sent FURIA to a match with Movistar Riders which they struggled to win. FURIA's style, helmed of course by the unmistakable Andrei "arT" Piovezan, is often feast or famine. Recently, it's been more of the latter. Despite KSCERATO playing at his absolute peak, FURIA have only barely been crossing the finish line against teams who should be no challenge. With BIG comes an important question: do FURIA have what it takes to be considered a serious contender?

• KSCERATO has a 1.31 rating in EPL

• yuurih uncharacteristically absent, but showed up vs Movistar

• Coming off bad performance at Katowice

BIG look... alright I guess

BIG's newest addition, Marcel "hyped" Köhn has been adequate, but not quite enough to take BIG over the line in important games. For a roster with a new squad, BIG have played as expected. This game versus FURIA will decide whether or not they can make deep runs in tournaments, or if they have to wait to challenge the top with their new roster.

• hyped has a 0.98 impact rating in EPL

• krimbo has a 1.17 rating in EPL

• Bulletpoint

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Previous Matchups

These two most recently matched up at the IEM Katowice Play-In, where despite taking BIG's map pick, FURIA ended up losing the affair 1-2. However, backed up by home-field advantage, FURIA did take this matchup 2-0 at the IEM Rio Major. This is about as evenly matches as these games go, so you definitely don't want to miss it.

Likely Vetoes

Use the bulletpoints to predict what the vetos/picks will be. Justify after the pick using stats.

• BIG ban Vertigo; Usually ban

• FURIA ban Overpass; Usually ban

• BIG pick Anubis; Won recently and picked vs FURIA at Katowice

• FURIA pick Mirage; won recently and BIG haven't played recently

• Decider Ancient; both teams like

Extras

This is one of the closest matches we've had so far in Pro League, but bookmakers are slightly favoring the panthers coming into this match. FURIA have ~1.7:1 odds while the Germans face unfavorable ~2.1:1 odds against them.