Blast Premier Picks, Predictions, Odds January 28-29

• G2, world No. 4, will fancy their chances against Complexity in Group A
• NiP, BIG will face each other in even money matchup in Group A blockbuster
• Over in Group B, world No. 1 Na Vi expected to cruise past MIBR

G2 vs Complexity Pick

G2 (-400)

G2 will open their Blast Premier Spring campaign against a new Complexity team in Group A action. G2 will start as massive favorites considering they are the world No. 4 team against a rejigged unit that has now moved to No. 25 in the world.

This is a completely new look Complexity team, made up of the Extra Salt roster after that acquisition. The core team has stayed together for a while, of course, but they will now have weight of expectation on them.

G2 will start as massive favorites for this contest, and that is unlikely to change. They have the better roster, and led by NiKo, they should continue to be too strong for this Complexity team, especially considering the step up in quality might be too much for them.

Complexity’s Extra Salt Roster

Johnny “⁠JT⁠” Theodosiou, Justin “⁠FaNg⁠” Coakley, Ricky “⁠floppy⁠” Kemery, and coach Tiaan “⁠T.c⁠” Coertzen were brought in from Extra Salt while Michael “⁠Grim⁠” Wince and Paytyn “⁠junior⁠” Johnson were brought in from outside to form a new look Complexity team.

“With the core of JT, FaNg and floppy complimented by two experienced pieces in Grim and junior, we not only found a roster with great chemistry together, but also a perfect fit for Complexity to return fully to North America,” Graham Pitt, Complexity’s CS:GO General Manager told HLTV.org.

There is not a lot of strength and confidence in this team yet, at least based on experience in high profile CS:GO. We will have to wait and watch to see how that pans out, but if it goes as expected, then Complexity should soon improve on their No. 25 ranking.

G2 Relying On NiKo

NiKo is not just one of the best players in G2, he is one of the best in the world. He has been in astounding recent form, which includes 0.85 kills and just 0.65 deaths per round in the last three months of CS:GO action. Ever since his acquisition from Faze, NiKo has continued to set the stage alight in pro CS:GO. Don’t expect that to change anytime soon either.

The other player G2 will look at is Hunter, who was one of their most important offensive players even before NiKo’s introduction to the team. He has generated 0.73 kills with 0.65 deaths per round in the last three months at an average damage per round of 79.8.

G2 will want to improve on their ranking in the new year. They have been in and around the top of the world for a while now but haven’t quite broken into the top two and stayed there for a while. With one of the best rosters in the world, they will definitely want that No. 1.

NiP vs BIG Pick

BIG (-125)

NiP vs BIG Predictions

This is a rare even money matchup in the top tier of CS:GO. NiP will be without Device in this game while BIG will come into this tournament on the back of some fluency and confidence after playing this year.

NiP are ranked No. 7 in the world while BIG are currently 13 in the world. While there is a discernible difference in ranking, NiP not having Device for this match will certainly make quite a big difference as this game progresses. In a best of one, anything can happen and I’m backing BIG to rely on their core to come away with some strength and a big win.

Remember, BIG have been up and down the rankings. At one point, they were up to No. 1 in the world also. That will also be a pertinent point in understanding how this game could pan out. If it goes as expected, then BIG should have the edge.

Offense A Worry For NiP

Not one NiP player has averaged over 0.70 kills per round in the last three months of CS:GO action. That is bound to be an issue through the course of this tournament. And that is also why BIG could have an advantage, especially from a kill standpoint.

Hampus has averaged 0.69 kills per round but has over extended to the point he also has 0.72 deaths per round in the last three months of CS:GO action. Rez has been in similar shape and this will have to change if NiP are to have any chance without Device, who is without doubt one of the best long range proponents in pro CS:GO.

NiP are coming into this match on the back of three successive defeats, which would not have done much for their recent confidence and momentum. However, this is a new year, and anything is possible going forward too.

Faven The Key For BIG

Faven has been BIG’s most proficient offensive player, producing stellar returns worth 0.80 kills and 0.64 deaths per round at an average damage per round of 84.1, which is terrific without comparison. Even with comparison, these are really strong numbers.

He has been aided by Syrson and Tabsen, both of who have produced over 0.70 kills per round in the last three months of CS:GO action. Syrson has been particularly good, with 0.70 kills and 0.62 deaths per round in this same analysis period.

BIG will be desperate to make improvements in the next phase of the top tier of events. They have lost their last two matches, including a 2-1 defeat to world No. 9 Entropiq and Gambit. Those were superior teams but they were still at least competitive.

Natus Vincere vs MIBR Pick (January 29)

Na Vi (moneyline)

Natus Vincere vs MIBR Predictions

Na Vi are back where they belong, at the very top of the rankings. They had undergone a topsy turvy 2020 as several main events went online. At one point, they even slipped outside the top 10, but led by arguably the best player in the world in S1mple, Na Vi are back to No. 1 in the world.

MIBR, on the other hand, simply do not match up well with Na Vi. The all Brazilian roster has lost their vigor and form in the last few months to the point that they are now No. 56 in the world. That will not bode well for the team against the best in the world.

If this was a best of three, there may have been potential to bet on Na Vi winning without dropping a map. However, in a best of one, it is best to refrain from the rounds handicap. Instead, you can add Na Vi to a parlay, which could potentially include G2 as well.

S1mple Continues To Astonish

Without much doubt, S1mple continues to be one of the best in the world, if not the best. Whether it is the AWP, a rifle or even a pistol, S1mple continues to transform the dynamics of pro CS:GO shooting with his proficiency and accuracy across maps.

Here is some statistical proof of that: he has averaged 0.92 kills and just 0.58 deaths per round at an average damage per round of 92 in the last three months. If you have numbers like this, then more often than not a team would be in and around the top. Impressively, some of these numbers have come against the best in the world.

Na Vi are currently on a five match winning streak. They have added some silverware towards the end of last year. And form and fluency is not an issue. This could be a very good year for Na Vi but they will be aware it is easier to get to No. 1 than stay there.

MIBR Not At The Same Level

MIBR still have plenty of work to be done. They have lost their core roster, which was what MIBR was rebranded into. Currently, Exit leads their kill output, producing 0.74 kills and even has an impressive death rate of just 0.53, which allows him to improve his defence and in game economy considerably.

MIBR have won six of their last eight matches, but it must be noted that some of those opponents were not at the same level as this Na Vi team. That will be a massive step up for this team as they continue to make inroads into their lost ranking.

Tuurtle has also produced 0.74 kills but has a slightly higher death rate, which is at 0.60 per round, in the last three months of CS:GO action. If MIBR are to have any chance in this, they will need some special performances from all or at least most of their current roster.

Astralis vs OG Pick (January 29)

 OG (moneyline)

Astralis vs OG Predictions

Over in group B, Astralis will face OG in what should be quite an entertaining match. Astralis are presently No. 8 in the world while OG have moved to No. 16. OG have changed up some members of their roster but that is for the better because some of their additions have real class, skill and experience considering their previous teams.

Astralis also have a new roster after moving on from the famous trio of Device, Magisk and Dupreeh. Now, BlameF is their most proficient offensive player. Still, there is something about this Astralis team, which makes them capable of replacing lost talent quickly.

OG should not be flustered by Astralis though. This is a best of one contest, and the odds for OG are very high. This is an upset result that is being predicted, which means a higher pay out. If you want to lower your risk exposure, you can always opt for OG to cover the rounds handicap market, which is a safer bet.

Watch Out For BlameF And K0nfig In Astralis

There are two key offensive players for Astralis. BlameF has been quite steady and consistent in the last few months, producing 0.75 kills with just 0.62 deaths per round in the last three months. He also has an average damage per round of 86.2.

K0nfig has 0.74 kills in the same analysis period but has not quite found defensive compactness as evidenced from his high death rate of 0.73 per round too. Still, he will be a vital player for Astralis if they are to stay consistent.

Astralis are not in the best recent form having lost three of their last four matches. That could be a problem for Astralis if this match gets tight. Even though they have the players, they will need a lot more from their best offensive players and consistently too.

Valde, Mantuu Strong Options For OG

Both Valde and Mantuu have been in reliable recent form. Mantuu has been a long term player for OG. In terms of recent form, he has produced 0.70 kills with 0.61 deaths per round at an average damage per round of just over 70.

Valde has been in even better form, having produced 0.77 kills with just 0.60 deaths per round in the last three months. He has done this at an average damage per round of well over 80. He will be one player that Astralis will have to find a way to stop.

This OG core has played with each other just three times previously. Of those three, two were defeats. It is clear that OG have a renewed roster, one that is capable of making an entry into the top 10 very soon. How soon that may be will be interesting to watch.

How to Watch Blast Premier Spring Groups