BIG vs Sprout Preview and Prediction- Free Betting Picks 8/18

BIG and Sprout will face each other in the opening match of the ESL One Cologne Online 2020:Europe. The two European teams are a part of Group A and the winner of this match proceeds to the upper bracket round 2. The ESL One Cologne 2020 is divided into several smaller regional events due to the coronavirus pandemic. The European segment of the tournament has sixteen teams competing for a $325,000 prize pool. The tournament uses a double-elimination GSL format group stage where the top eight teams move forward to the playoffs.

BIG Team Preview

HLTV Rank: 1st

BIG is the world’s best CS:GO team and earned its reputation off some stellar performances before the CS:GO player’s break. The defeated some of the most popular names in Counter-Strike to win big events in the online 2020 era of CS:GO.

BIG’s performance over the past few months has been dependent on individual clutch plays and some deep strategic playbooks. The team is exceptionally strong on Dust2 and Nuke. The two maps are fundamentally different from each other in play style and layout. While Dust2 has a more open nature of architecture, Nuke’s multi-level layout leads to an easier time for CT players. However, BIG has some excellent T-side strategies on Nuke which favor the team over its opponents.

Sprout Team Preview

HLTV Rank: 40th

Sprout is a German CS:GO lineup and has been consistent in the past few weeks. The team comprises a mix of German players and two Polish players in Snatchie and dycha.

Despite the cultural and linguistic differences between the two segments of players, this team has pushed through to find common ground. The players have excellent synergy, a surprise considering the differences.

Sprout is strongest on Train, Dust 2 and Mirage. However, the team is not the most consistent in its performances and can drop maps against weaker opponents. Sprout’s recent matches include victories over Winstrike and AGO. However, the team has also lost matches to Hard Legion and Nemiga. With a 1.15 rating, faveN is the best player on the squad and regularly tops the scoreboard. The team relies on individual performances to put up impressive results; however, often falters against established roosters.

Pick: BIG -1.5 handicap (-155 @ Pinnacle)

BIG is the best team in the world and has put up impressive results against some of the top tier Counter-Strike teams. While the teams are coming off a players’ break, BIG’s players have shown their ability to perform at the same level in online matches. I am taking BIG to win this match with a -1.5 handicap.