Endpoint vs. Movistar Riders Preview & Prediction - Free CS:GO Betting Picks 8/8

The FunSpark ULTI 2020 - European Qualifier is set to begin, and we have a Group A match upcoming between Endpoint and Movistar Riders. The 16 team qualifier participants are broken into two groups of eight for the Group Stage in which they take part in a GSL format group with the opening matches being single map while every game afterwards will be a best of three match series. The winner of each group will earn a bid to the FunSpark ULTI 2020 where some of the best teams in the world will compete for their share of $300,000 USD.

The British-based Endpoint comes into this contest ranking 42nd in the world. They've been a tough team in the past, but have since fallen flat as they've dropped three straight contests. It's worth noting that these three losses came to ALTERNATE aTTaX twice (1-2 & 0-2) and LDLC (0-2) who are both really good teams. Nuke is the normal ban for Endpoint, and they hold win rates of at least 50% on every other maps besides Nuke which makes for a deep map pool.

Their opponent for this battle will be the 33rd ranked Movistar Riders. They will be rolling out a new roster here with the addition of two new players in larsen and shokz. These two signings are an instant improvement on paper as larsen holds the highest HLTV Rating 2.0 on the team. Movistar Riders was outstanding when facing lower tier opponents, but they looked outmatched against top tier teams and this roster move could be the missing key.

Pick: Endpoint Spread -3.5 Rounds (-104 @ Pinnacle)

I am a big fan of the two new additions to the Movistar Riders roster, but they are going to run in to issues here. These new guys aren't Spanish speaking natives as the team was based around previously, and this means that in-game communications will have to switch to English for them. Although larsen and shokz are good players and should help Movistar Riders be more competitive against top teams, Endpoint has a solid roster headed by Thomas and CRUC1AL. Endpoint's roster has been playing together for a while, and this existing chemistry will be the difference-maker.