We’re three days deep in the second phase of the ESL Pro League S23 Online Stage, and the brackets are starting to separate the field. The teams in the 2-0 pool play for a direct spot at the LAN event, while the 1-1 teams are trying to stay on track toward qualification. On the other side of the brackets, the 0-2 teams are on the brink of elimination with each game for the rest of the online stage.

Round 3 High Matches (2-0)

MOUZ vs The MongolZ

MOUZ have a perfect head-to-head track-record against The MongolZ. They play very recently, at PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026, and MOUZ comfortably won that series MongolZ with a scoreline 13-6 on Mirage, and 13-10 on Inferno. The MongolZ have noticeably improved since their late-2025 slump, but MOUZ are currently in an even better form at the moment, so there’s no any real reason not to pick them to win this match. If they don’t mess up the vetoes, they should clear this.

Prediction: MOUZ 2-1.

Team Spirit vs G2 Esports

Both teams enter the 2-0 bracket after reverse-sweeping their opponents in Round 2 – G2 dominated NAVI after dropping the first map, and Spirit were looking nowhere near their potential throughout the whole series against B8, even though they won 2-1. These two have some pretty stacked recent head-to-head history, and Team Spirit leads 3-1 in series wins. Interestingly, there is only one clean series between these two – Spirit’s 2-0 win at the ESL Pro League S22, so we should expect both team to throw hands tomorrow. The last game between them was at IEM Kraków, where Spirit won 2-1 in a very close series. If Spirit do the vetoes part well (just stay clear of G2’s Ancient, and maybe Mirage), they should win this and recover from today’s poor showing against B8.

Prediction: Spirit 2-1.

Round 3 Mid Matches (1-1)

paiN vs Aurora

Aurora have been a nightmare matchup for paiN ever since their Eternal Fire days – they’ve won every meeting, and paiN have taken only two maps total in the process. The most recent clash with the current cores was at PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026’s group stage, and Aurora bulldozed over paiN after dropping the first map (10-13 Nuke, 13-7 Anubis, 13-4 Dust2 ). paiN are no pushovers – they won a thriller series against FaZe in the previous round, but and I think Aurora are the more composed and organized team with plenty of firepower. paiN will keep the maps close, but Aurora will eventually close the series, keeping their win-streak going.

Prediction: Aurora 2-1.

NAVI vs B8

After dominating on Mirage, NAVI’s players just went AWOL, especially b1t, iM and Aleksib. G2 reverse-swept them after being dominated on the first map, and sent NAVI to the 1-1 bracket. After upsetting FURIA in Round 1, B8 almost did the same thing to Team Spirit, before donk and his troops took over.

This matchup looks pretty straightforward on paper, but B8 have shown that playing online makes them dangerous. But with the stakes are getting higher with every round, we should stick with the odds on this one, and say NAVI will win this. Everything points to it: NAVI are 2-0 in the two official matchups they’ve played (both at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025), both sweeps with only one competitive map. Veto-wise, B8 (as well as NAVI) lean heavily on picking Mirage and Dust2, while the insta-bans are Overpass for NAVI, and Nuke for B8. If NAVI avoids at least one of B8’s comfort maps, they should be in the clear.

Prediction: NAVI 2-0.

FUT vs 3DMAX

This one has a real bite to it. 3DMAX’s new addition, misutaaa, will seek revenge against his former team that benched him back in August, replacing him with lauNX.

FUT are one of the most consistent teams at the event, topping the scoreboard at Stage 1. But 3DMAX are trending upward too, after escaping that series of losses from earlier this year (7 straight losses).

These two have met only once, at IEM Kraków 2026 where 3DMAX actually edged out a very close series (at least the first two maps) – 16-13 Ancient, 13-16 Anubis, 13-5 Dust2. FUT appear to be in a better form right now, and if vetoes go their way and avoid repeating the mistakes from Kraków, they have a good chance to return the favor here.

Prediction: FUT 2-1.

Legacy vs Astralis

Legacy surprised me the most this event. Much of that comes from the addition of arT as IGL, and his aggressive style and confident mid-round plays have shown Legacy are capable of taking maps, even series, off more established teams.

Astralis, however, remains the more structured lineup going in this matchup. They have disciplined defaults and a bit better team coordination, and they are rarely relying on individuals to bail them out – and discipline tend to be more important as the Swiss stage goes deeper. Astralis also have the edge in the head-to-head history, and if Legacy doesn’t play out of their minds tomorrow, I’m taking Astralis to edge the series, but it will be very close.

Prediction: Astralis 2-1.

Round 3 Low Matches (0-2)

FaZe vs Monte

I did not expect FaZe to be in the 0-2, but their performances so far have been inconsistent (at best). The team seems to be struggling hard to regain the level that once made them a threat in S-Tier events. They got destroyed by G2 in Round 1 (13-1 Dust2, 13-10 Ancient), and then humbled by paiN in somewhat close series.

Monte have shown that they are a dangerous team, especially in an online setting. They’re playing fast-paced Counter-Strike and aren’t afraid to take risks – which can make them difficult to tame if the momentum swings their way from the start.

However, FaZe have hugely more experience in high-pressure matches. In an elimination match, that can be very important. If they just fix the macro-mistakes that plagued them earlier in the stage, they have the firepower to dodge elimination.

Prediction: FaZe 2-1.

FURIA vs HEROIC

FURIA are in a dangerous spot – every series is an elimination match for them from now on for the rest of the online stage. Considering they entered the tournament as the highest-ranked team, being eliminated this early would be a massive disappointment (read: embarrassment).

HEROIC proved to be a tough opponent. Their willingness to put pressure on their opponents and fight early in rounds makes them extremely dangerous – especially in an online environment, without the pressure of the big stage.

Anyway, FURIA are the obvious favorite in this matchup, both in terms of firepower and map pool comfort. If they manage to keep their composure and avoid early tilts, they will live to see another round.

Prediction: FURIA 2-0.