Cloud9 vs Team Liquid Preview and Prediction- Free Betting Picks 8/19

Cloud9 and Team Liquid will face each other in the group stage of the ESL One Cologne 2020: Online North America. The two teams are a part of Group B, which also includes Evil Geniuses and Triumph. ESL One Cologne 2020: North America has eight teams competing for $135,000. The teams play in a double-elimination GSL format group stage. The top two teams advance to the playoffs which are single-elimination matches.

Team Liquid recently had multiple changes to its CS:GO roster. With Nitro moving to VALORANT and a new addition in the form of youngster, Grim, Team Liquid has had some time to rethink its approach to the game. The North American roster is very strong on Inferno, Nuke and Overpass where its players have exceptional in-game decision making to secure the win.

Cloud9’s CS:GO roster was in a slump before the players’ break. However, the team has bounced back and looks to be in great form. The roster includes the former Athletico players who have produced some really good Counter-Strike over the years. With a 1.15 rating, oSee is the best player on the team. However, others such as floppy and Sonic have also stepped up from time to time.

Pick: Team Liquid -1.5 handicap (-154 @ Pinnacle)

I am taking Team Liquid to win a -1.5 handicap bet against Cloud9. Team Liquid’s recent roster changes are only going to strengthen the team’s performance. Grim has been at the top of the scoreboard in some of Team Liquid’s DreamHack Open Summer matches and looks very comfortable in his new roster.