IEM Rio Predictions: Top Teams to Win

IEM Rio is one of the biggest showdowns where the best CS2 teams take on the challenge to bring their name up on the big stage. However, there can always be only one winner at the end of the day, and this is why there are many options to choose from with a lot of teams making a strong case based on their previous campaigns this season. But who shall prevail in taking over the competition this time?

What are the Stakes in IEM Rio?

IEM Rio boasts a massive prize pool of $250,000, and this means that the best teams will be battling for the lion’s share of the said reward while also making themselves the kings of Brazil for the year. It is worth noting that not all 16 teams will get the chance to make their name for the top spot, as the main winner will be rewarded with a direct invite to the IEM Katowice 2025, which is seen as one of the biggest majors in the game as well.

The competition will be played in a two double-elimination format in the group stages with all opening matches set on a best-of-one, while the succeeding matches are set on a best-of-three. The winners from the group stage will advance directly to the semis, while runners-up will be placed as high seeds in the quarterfinals, and third-placers starting as the low seeds in the same stage.

Team Spirit is not expected to play in this tournament. Considered as the best team in CS2 right now, the absence of Team Spirit opens up a door for many other contenders to take on the challenge and make the most of their chances as well. This is why it is expected that IEM Rio will be a massive showdown between many top teams as they scramble their way tp the top. At this point, one can say that IEM Rio is slated to deliver intense action and fiery clashes that essentially make it a fun tournament to watch for many fans and even bettors who have their own stakes in the competition.

Who are the Top Picks to Win in IEM Rio?

There are a total of 16 teams coming up with an impressive heading in IEM Rio. However, it is worth noting that not all of these teams will have a good chance to lock up the title, and this is why it is expected that IEM Rio will be a challenging contest for most teams. But there are some teams who have enjoyed a strong pace heading into the campaign, and they are considered to be the top picks to win in the competition now more than ever.

Here are five teams that you should look out for in IEM Rio:

Natus Vincere

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Natus Vincere sits at the top of the HLTV rankings thanks to an impressive season. The most recent success the team has enjoyed was in the ESL Pro League Season 20, where they bagged the championship after beating Eternal Fire, 3-2 in the final and scoring a $170,000 prize. So far, NAVI’s impressive year has been capped off by top finishes in the PGL Major Copenhagen 2024, and the highly-coveted Esports World Cup 2024. At this point, it can be considered that NAVI is expected to make a winning stride in this game as well, and it seems that IEM Rio will have one of its favorite contenders in the competition once more.

G2 Esports

G2 Esports is quite considered to be a team on the rise, and this season is proof of that. The team had a shaky start after two straight 5th-6th finishes in the first two tournaments, including IEM Katowice 2024. They did score some improvements in the later competitions before finally emerging triumphant in IEM Dallas, beating Team Vitality 2-1 in the final. However, the struggles would come again as they failed to secure a tournament win after that, with the most recent ESL Pro League season 2 slipping from their hands. Fans expect them to cut the losing strides and finally get back on track in IEM Rio at this point.

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Astralis

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Astralis is known well to be an instant contender almost everywhere they play in. However, the hype on the team’s chances this season comes from the latest addition of cadiaN to the lineup. Ever since the team won the Copenhagen Gaming Week 2024, the team has been nowhere near the top spot finishes in all of the tournaments they played in. It is worth noting that their latest run in the ESL Pro League Season 20 saw them land a 21st to 28th finish – which is the most disappointing run they have had so far. With the roster change and the spark of improvement in the BLAST Premier Fall Finals, it does seem that the team has a chance to prove its worth now more than ever.

Team Vitality

Team Vitality is building off its pace coming from the recent victory in the IEM Cologne 2024, where they ousted top favorite Natus Vincere in the competition’s final. So far, Vitality is considered to be a top pick to win in the competition as they are slated to defend their title this time. Vitality is one of the biggest teams to have secured a promising climb in the HLTV rankings, and this says a lot about their chances of winning in the tournament as they seek to continue on the winning track now more than ever.

Team Vitality image

MOUZ

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Despite securing victories in the ESL Pro League Season 19 and the BetBoom Dacha Belgrade 2024 #1, it does seem that MOUZ is also expected to make waves in the competition thanks to their mounting frustration. The team has fallen short in three straight majors and elite-level events such as the IEM Dallas, Esports World Cup 2024, and IEM Cologne. Losing out badly in the ESL Pro League Season 20 has also hampered their chances of winning, but it is expected that the team will find a way to ensure that they will score a much deeper run this time.

What to Expect in IEM Rio?

IEM Rio is one of the high-stakes tournaments that will spice up the competition heading into the BLAST Premier World Final and the Perfect World Shanghai Major. This is also the last IEM event for the year, and winning it will set the tone for the teams as they seek to score a deep run and prove their worth on the big stage. At this point, whoever wins IEM Rio is definitely expected to be a favorite in the final two tournaments.

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