by IEM Spring is the next event on the Counter-Strike 2 esports calendar, with 16 squads — including five of the top 10 teams in the world — competing from April 8–14 for the US$250,000 prize pool in Chengdu, China.
With the seven highest-ranked organisations coming off PGL Major Copenhagen campaigns, the top teams look to be a class above their lower-ranked opponents.
Esports betting sites have their outright winner market focused around two teams, with FaZe Clan ($3.25) and MOUZ ($3.50) sitting clear of the rest of the field. G2 Esports ($6.00), Virtus.pro ($6.50), and Cloud9 ($6.50) are the only other chances marked under double figures to claim the IEM Chendgu title.
Here is our IEM Spring betting preview and outright picks, with odds courtesy of the top Counter-Strike betting sites in South Korea.
FaZe Clan IEM Chengdu predictions
Although many believed that FaZe Clan went into the first CS2 Major as somewhat of a false top seed, the Finn “karrigan” Anderson-led squad did everything but win in Copenhagen as they fell to Natus Vincere in the grand final.
It appears they have returned to the FaZe of old; however, it is the younger players, such as Helvijs “broky” Saukants and David “frozen” ?erňansky, who are stepping up in pivotal moments for FaZe.
Interestingly, the last two events that took place in the Asia-Pacific region — IEM Sydney 2023 and CS Asia Championships — were won by FaZe Clan. Unlike most of the European squads, FaZe seem to get better when they have to travel, and after their runner-up finish at the Major, anyone who plays them during IEM Chengdu could be in for a tough clash.
Outright winner: FaZe Clan
Virtus.pro IEM Chengdu predictions
If you are a die-hard Counter-Strike fan, there is no need to get into the heartbreaking circumstances surrounding Virtus.pro’s exit from PGL Major Copenhagen; however, if they had beaten G2 Esports, this roster could have done some serious damage.
VP were dominant during both the Europe RMR A and IEM Dallas 2024 Europe qualifiers, advancing to the main event of each tournament with 3-0 records. This roster, led by Dzhami “Jame” Ali, has been together for nine months, and their cohesion is as good as any squad participating at this event.
Virtus.pro will be in the same group as FaZe Clan and will more than likely play off in the upper-bracket final. Due to them being in the same group, as long as VP or FaZe finish second in the group, they won’t face each other again until the grand final, which puts them both in a great spot.
