ESL Pro League Season 23 quarterfinals are starting soon with The MongolZ and Natus Vincere first to take the stage in Stockholm. Here are the odds and our predictions for this match-up.
This event is a great opportunity for both teams to get more playoff games under their belt and try to grab a LAN trophy before the Major cut-off. Both The MongolZ and NAVI have what it takes to go all the way in this event, but which team has the edge in this matchup?
Senzu might be gone, but The MongolZ are still a threat. Credit: Michal Konkol | © BLAST
Most fans thought that Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold’s departure from the team would see The MongolZ plummet down the rankings, but they managed to keep the ship afloat without one of the best CS2 players of last year.
The Mongolians’ style of play is well-refined, which isn’t a surprise considering the core of the team has been together for many years.
Their new addition, Anarbileg “cobrazera” Uuganbayar, has settled into the roster and is doing what is asked of him by their coach pretty well.
Speaking of Erdenedalai “maaRaa” Bayanbat, he won’t be able to attend the ESL Pro League S23 LAN playoffs with his team. His absence will certainly be a massive loss for The MongolZ.
NAVI are a quintessential top 10 gatekeeper. Credit: © StarLadder
Coming into 2026, NAVI were rumored to be one of the teams making changes in the offseason. That didn’t happen, however.
Due to the lack of upgrades, it makes sense that their position in the best CS2 teams landscape has remained the same – a top 10 team that can’t challenge for the biggest trophies.
So far, in 2026, their best result was a quarterfinal finish at PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026, where they fell short against MOUZ. Their biggest win this year, though, came against the newcomers, PARIVISION.
Despite their recent results not being overly impressive, we know how great NAVI can be, especially when they have time to prepare for their opponents.
No maaRaa for The MongolZ could be detrimental. Credit: Adam Lakomy | © BLAST
The narrow CS2 betting favorites for this matchup are NAVI despite the fact they lost to The MongolZ in their last meeting at PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026. However, this time around The MongolZ will be without their coach and NAVI will have more prep time before the game.
It’s likely that this quarterfinal will be a three-map affair, with the decider of Nuke or Dust II finishing off the series.
Both teams could win, but we think The MongolZ will have the edge over their opponents.
Score prediction:
Odds:
Odds courtesy of GG.Bet Esports and are subject to change.
Also read: PGL unveils CS2 Tier 1 roadmap for 2027 and 2028 with $22m investment
Featured image source: © PGL
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