This is a space where I put my predictions on upcoming matches. I predict based on my experience and the performance of Pro Teams — and I comment on every single one, with an aftermath added after each match.
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Before the draft
I commit before the heroes are even picked. No backdating, no excuses.
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OG is way too kill-focused, and they forget about the map way too often. Aurora, on the other hand, plays super clean mid-game. If OG doesn’t snowball early, this will look very one-sided.
AuroraSpirit is just more disciplined in every aspect. VP can farm well, but against a team like Spirit, that’s not enough. If Yatoro gets his game, this is over. One more thing, if Larl loses the lane (like he did yesterday), Spirit will throw a game.
TSpiritXtreme is stronger on paper, but I don’t trust them at all. They always find a way to take bad fights. Nigma, surprisingly, looks more stable lately. This feels like a split series.
What you get here
One pick per match. My honest read, written before the draft. No fluff, no hedging.
Aurora Gaming vs OG
Prediction
Aurora Gaming
My take
OG is way too kill-focused, and they forget about the map way too often. Aurora, on the other hand, plays super clean mid-game. If OG doesn’t snowball early, this will look very one-sided.
Prediction
Team Spirit
My take
Spirit is just more disciplined in every aspect. VP can farm well, but against a team like Spirit, that’s not enough. If Yatoro gets his game, this is over. One more thing, if Larl loses the lane (like he did yesterday), Spirit will throw a game.
Prediction
Draw (1–1)
My take
Xtreme is stronger on paper, but I don’t trust them at all. They always find a way to take bad fights. Nigma, surprisingly, looks more stable lately. This feels like a split series.
Prediction
Team Falcons
My take
paiN relies a lot on chaotic fights, but Falcons, when they hit their drafts, just run over teams. I don’t think paiN can handle that kind of pressure consistently.
Prediction
Draw (1–1)
My take
I can easily see Xtreme taking a game if Ame gets space, but Spirit should also secure one. I think both teams have kind of the same problem with the execution of the draft.
Team Falcons vs OG
Prediction
Team Falcons
My take
OG is just too unstable for this kind of matchup. Falcons can draft weird stuff and completely take over the game. If OG makes mistakes early, this can get ugly very fast. More than that, I don't think this is news for you, but OG is not ready for ESL One Birmingham.
Prediction
Aurora Gaming
My take
Aurora’s 5-man play is just too good. VP is more passive and relies on farming, and I don’t think they will have the time to come online. Aurora should control both games.
Prediction
Draw (1–1)
My take
Both teams have clear issues. Pain depends on chaos; Nigma depends on… honestly, I don’t even know sometimes. This is just a messy BO2 — feels like a split. Yes, Nigma is slightly stronger, but after yesterday, I can see Wits and the boys taking a map from them.
ESL One Birmingham 202622 Mar40Prediction
Draw (1–1)
My take
This is one of those matches where both teams can easily take a map. Tundra is more structured, but they still have weird drafts and can throw a game out of nowhere. PARI, on the other hand, has better mid-game fights but zero consistency. I don’t trust either of them to close 2-0.
✗ Aftermath
I can't believe how bad PARIVISION is looking right now. Remind me again, why did they kick DM and took SSS in?
MOUZ vs GamerLegion
Prediction
Draw (1–1)
My take
This is EXACTLY the type of match where MOUZ either looks like a tier 1 team or completely collapses. GL is not stable either - RCY can win mid hard or just disappear. I’ve seen this script too many times… both teams take one.
✗ Aftermath
I will not say anything, except I think it was a mistake to bench Yamsun and get Shad instead. Yamsun was more aggressive; Shad is just Shad. I don't remember 1 team where Shad was the carry and he carried his team to a win.
Prediction
Team Yandex
My take
Yandex is just too clean in BO2. They don’t give free games. If they are the better team, they will close both maps. YkBros won’t survive the 5-man pressure.
✓ Aftermath
This has to be the most unbalanced game in ESL One Birmingham. Yandex just stomped YB in both games.
Prediction
BetBoom Team
My take
Classic BetBoom match. Against weaker teams, they look like the best team in the world. If lanes go even remotely fine, this is over.
✗ Aftermath
AHAHHAHAHA, classic BetBoom. How can you lose to REKONIX? Why would you pick that useless WR carry against TA and Storm?
Prediction
Tundra Esports
My take
I refuse to go 2-0 here. BetBoom is the definition of chaos — they can stomp one map and throw the next one with a 15k lead. Tundra is more stable, but not enough to dominate.
✗ Aftermath
No guys, Tundra is just too good. I mean, even in PGL Wallachia they looked good with Parker, but now with Pure, they look unbeatable, to be honest. This dude went 8-0 on the lifestealer against Mars and Ringmaster.
Prediction
Draw (1–1)
My take
This is a bad matchup for PARI. They rely on chaotic fights and mistakes — Yandex does NOT give that. Clean 5-man Dota vs inconsistent aggression… we know how this ends. Going with a draw.
✓ Aftermath
I am happy that my prediction got through, but PARIVISION barely won that game 1. I would say that they won purely because Satanic was too big.
Prediction
Draw (1–1)
My take
GL should be better in every aspect. Even if they drop a game, it would be a massive throw. BUT, now that YB has a better carry, we can go with a draw.
✓ Aftermath
Well, how was that Omniknight carry from Shad?
Prediction
MOUZ
My take
Even with all their issues, MOUZ has way better players. If they lose a map here… I don’t even know what to say anymore.
✓ Aftermath
I will take back my comments saying that MOUZ is unpredictable. They just stomped Rekonix without any chances, and they are top 1 of group A.
Prediction
Draw (1–1)
My take
Falcons without full form are not reliable at all. Aurora, on the other hand, plays really solid mid-game, but they also depend a lot on momentum. This feels like a trade — one clean win each.
✗ Aftermath
This is not Dota. This is called a bully beatdown; Aurora absolutely crushed Falcons. I don't even want to mention map 2, where Aurora won with a 40:3 score xD.
OG vs Nigma Galaxy
Prediction
Draw (1–1)
My take
This is a trap match. OG should win, but we’ve seen them throw games they had no business losing. NGX is not good, but in BO2 they can absolutely steal a map.
✓ Aftermath
Yes, my prediction is correct, but I expected kind of more from OG, to be honest. Let's see how they will do further.
Prediction
Xtreme Gaming
My take
I will not overthink this. If Ame reaches late game, VP is done. Unless XG throws (which is possible…), this should be clean.
✗ Aftermath
Oh my God. Xtreme lost map 2 without any chance. I don't get the point of WHY they always need to take fights of 4 vs. 5.
Prediction
Team Spirit
My take
Spirit is just too disciplined for a team like paiN. They won’t give them chaotic fights, and that’s where paiN usually finds wins. Yatoro in BO2 vs weaker teams = 2-0 most of the time.
✓ Aftermath
Spirit won, but I need to give some props to Wits. I think this kid has a big future in Dota 2.
Prediction
Draw (1–1)
My take
Falcons always find a way to take a game. Even when they look bad, they can draft something weird and win. XG is stronger overall, but I don’t trust them to sweep.
✓ Aftermath
Pfiu, here I got lucky.
Prediction
Draw (1–1)
My take
Very hard match. Aurora needs mid-game control, Spirit plays disciplined and punishes mistakes. This screams split — both styles can win a game.
✓ Aftermath
Honestly? I thought Spirit was going to lose the map. 2. The way Aurora started with the Marci and Warlock on the safe lane was absolutely mind-blowing. Kaori (on Warlock) was 5-0. But then, Papa Yatoro just outfarmed Nightfall and won the game.
Prediction
Draw (1–1)
My take
Two unstable teams. NGX has moments, VP has structure, but neither is convincing. This is classic BO2 draw material.
✓ Aftermath
I am actually blown away that Nigma Galaxy looks so good even without SumaiL. It basically means that Noob was a really bad offlaner xD.
OG vs paiN Gaming
Prediction
OG
My take
If OG loses a map here, it’s pure grief. They are just better in every department.
✗ Aftermath
Unbelievable. OG lost map 1 to Pain Gaming. But I will say more than that; even when they won game 2, Yopaj was running around with the 46 KDA. But the net worth was kind of the same. So, now to the problem: I believe OG focuses too much on kills, and they forget to farm, and that's why they are losing this kind of game.
Prediction
Draw (1–1)
My take
Both teams are inconsistent in different ways. PARI plays structured Dota, but BetBoom relies heavily on winning lanes. This screams split series.
✓ Aftermath
Kind of funny. Both teams have the same issue: they can't finish the game. You noticed even in game one, where BetBoom was leading, they couldn't break the high ground. And I think this is an issue with all the CIS teams.
Prediction
Tundra Esports
My take
I expect an easy 2:0 from Tundra Esports.
✗ Aftermath
RCY won the game solo for GL. This KEZ mid was an absolute monster. I would also need to add that Tundra almost lost game 1 as well; they won purely because BZM on Tiny was setting up fights.
Prediction
MOUZ
My take
We're going with MOUZ on this; they are top of Group A, and they really played well yesterday. On the other hand, YB is just lost; I don't think they can do something against MOUZ.
✗ Aftermath
Lool, MOUZ just lost 2:0 against YB. Not only that, but they lost without any chances. Ghost on carry is a real improvement for YB.
Prediction
Team Yandex
My take
Expect a 2:0 from Yandex. I think they will play really fast and close the game early.
✓ Aftermath
No guys, Yandex is indeed really strong. And I am not talking about skill-wise; I am talking about 5-man Dota. They and maybe Aurora have the best 5-man strategy.
Prediction
Draw (1–1)
My take
This should be one of the most high-skilled Dota games in the tournament. I understand that Tundra is the clear favorite here (based on what we saw yesterday), but Yandex, if they get momentum and play as 5, are just better in execution. We're going with a draw.
✓ Aftermath
What a clean execution by both teams. Honestly? I think Yandex is a little bit more scary than Tundra (even though Pure did a rampage on his SF in map 2). But Yandex looks slightly more composed in my eyes.
MOUZ vs BetBoom Team
Prediction
BetBoom Team
My take
I want to risk it here; I believe BetBoom is really good against MOUZ just because they farm way more than them. I don't think Gpk will let MidOne play on his cheesy heroes like he did yesterday against Gamer Legion.
✗ Aftermath
MOUZ absolutely destroyed BetBoom. I don't get this team. They can lose 2:0 against Yakult Brothers but then bully BetBoom into a 2:0 submission? Explain to me how that makes sense.
Prediction
PARIVISION
My take
As much as I dislike PARIVISION lately, I will still go with them to win. It would be mind-blowing if they threw even 1 map to Gamer Legion.
✗ Aftermath
It was sad to watch. Man, how do you go from the most feared team in the whole scene to losing 2:0 against Gamer Legion? I really hope PARIVISION can find a way to stay in the scene; I would not like them to disband because of some poor results in the last 2 tournaments.
Prediction
Draw (1–1)
My take
Going with a draw? There is nothing to discuss here; YB and REKONIX are just unpredictable.
✓ Aftermath
Man, I was soooo stressed about game 2. I never thought that REKONIX could make it happen, but they did with InYourDream on that Invoker. They BARELY managed to get the win after the last team fight. Still, I am really impressed by how Ghost (and even MooN) is playing for the Yakult Brothers.
Prediction
Draw (1–1)
My take
I don't trust Team Falcons at all. But Spirit also doesn't look that dominant in this ESL One Birmingham. So, we're going with a draw.
✗ Aftermath
If you try to play the long game with Flacons, that's what you get. The Falcons are known to drag the game until they suffocate you. I think Spirit needed to be more active in the early game, to be honest.
Prediction
Aurora Gaming
My take
Aurora all the way. There is no doubt in my mind that Aurora will win this series 2:0.
✓ Aftermath
It's funny how Aurora Gaming can flex on the Heroes. When I saw that SF pick, I thought it would be the carry SF for Nightfall, but no, it was an SF mid for Mikoto. This is what makes them really dangerous.
Virtus.pro vs OG
Prediction
Draw (1–1)
My take
Both teams are kind of the same. OG snowballs early, and they can win the map, but VP farms more, and they are much scarier in the late game. I will go with a draw here, but VP is slightly better.
✓ Aftermath
You see? This is exactly how it played out: if OG plays fast, they win. If they let VP into the late game, they lose because VP is better in mid-game to late-game scenarios.
Prediction
Xtreme Gaming
My take
This is the last time I'm going with Xtreme to win. If they lose against Pain Gaming, it's over for them, and they will go home.
✗ Aftermath
Wow, paiN gaming really did take one map from Xtreme. What did I tell you? This kid Wits is really good; he ragdolled Xtreme with his SF.
OG vs Team Spirit
Prediction
Team Spirit
My take
OG looks squishy, guys; I don't think they can steal a map from Spirit whatsoever. Yesterday they BARELY won against Pain Gaming.
✓ Aftermath
It went exactly as I predicted; they let Yatoro farm and then tried to run for kills, which is a mistake to do against a team like Team Spirit. But OG is really struggling in this tournament; I don't see the old OG. Where is that early game aggression? Where are the full items, Natsumi?
Prediction
Aurora Gaming
My take
The only way Aurora can lose this is if Ame gets to late-game. But Nightfall has a similar playstyle where he farms a LOT. I will go with Aurora to win this.
✓ Aftermath
I really like how Aurora is playing; they never let Xtreme get to late game. This is a good example of why Aurora is countering Xtreme with this strategy. Why would they let Ame in late game?
Prediction
Team Falcons
My take
We will go with the Falcons just for the simple fact that Nigma doesn't push early. And if this game gets dragged to late game, I trust Falcons slightly more.
✓ Aftermath
Falcons woke up from yesterday, and they delivered a clean 2:0. BUT, I need to highlight that this new carry from Nigma is NOT bad at all; the guy was top of the food chain in both maps. And Skiter also deserves the praise; this dude went with a 40-4-31 KDA.
Prediction
Virtus.pro
My take
I am leaning towards VP to win this. The only win condition Pain Gaming has is that kid Wits. But I believe Timado will outfarm him in the late game.
✓ Aftermath
I overestimated VP a little bit, but they still won both maps. It was a back-in-forth fight with Pain Gaming. I would say that they won just because they are better at execution in team fights.
Prediction
Tundra Esports
My take
MOUZ is one of those teams where you never know what version shows up, but against Tundra I don’t think that matters that much. Tundra just looks too solid right now—lanes are stable, drafts make sense, and they don’t give those free throws anymore. If this goes to the late game, it’s completely over for MOUZ.
✓ Aftermath
Not bad at all from MOUZ, to be honest. They were ahead in game 2, but I see the same mistakes over and over again. When they are ahead, they try to find ANY kill on the map and end up losing the farm. Just look at Pure, how he outfarmed the whole MOUZ in the last 8 minutes.
Prediction
Team Yandex
My take
This is just a bad matchup for GL. They rely too much on individual plays, while Yandex plays that clean 5-man Dota where they choke you out slowly. Unless RCY completely takes over mid-game, I don’t see how GL wins even a single map.
✓ Aftermath
I will say it one more time: Yandex is a real contender to win the ESL One Birmingham. Again, 2 clean games, no overextension, no feeding. They are really scary in mid-game.
Prediction
Draw (1–1)
My take
Ulalla, what a match to see. If you had asked me yesterday, I would've said that BetBoom shall win 2:0. But, after we saw what YB can do, I believe that they will take a map from BetBoom, and even worse, if BetBoom doesn't push in the mid game, they can actually lose.
✗ Aftermath
Hoohohoho, BetBoom even had a comeback in game 2. Honestly, I expected more from YB in this match, maybe because BetBoom is really scary against the teams that don't win lanes?
Prediction
PARIVISION
My take
PARI hasn’t looked great, but this is the type of team they should beat. REKONIX doesn’t really pressure enough, and if PARI gets even a small lead, they should be able to control the game. Honestly, if PARIVISION even loses one map, they are out of ESL One Birmingham.
✓ Aftermath
Extremely happy for PARIVISION. It was domination from start to finish; I think this win gives them a morale boost, and maybe they can bounce back.
PARIVISION vs MOUZ
Prediction
Draw (1–1)
My take
Two inconsistent teams with completely different problems. PARI struggles to close; MOUZ struggles to stay stable. This feels like one of those messy series where both teams make mistakes and end up trading maps.
Prediction
Team Yandex
My take
I don’t like this for BetBoom at all. Yandex is exactly the type of team that punishes overextensions and bad fights, and BetBoom does that a lot. How are you going to fight a team that is countering your whole playstyle?
Prediction
Tundra Esports
My take
YB improved a lot, but this is still a huge gap in discipline. Tundra won’t give them the kind of chaotic fights they need. If the game is even remotely structured, Tundra just wins.
Prediction
GamerLegion
My take
Do you realize that GL won 2:0 against PARIVISION and took a map from Tundra? I am going with GL to win; they seem really good in mid-game. On the other hand, REKONIX is not really convincing… They barely had a draw with YB.
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