forZe vs. HellRaisers, Preview & Prediction - Free 1/14 CS:GO

forZe is a favorite in this Best of 3 encounter when they meet HellRaisers in the quarter-finals of the Vulkan Fight Series 2020 on Thursday. The winning team will progress to the semis, where it will take on the better side of the clash between Dignitas and Sinners.

forZe Team Stats and Latest Results

forZe received an invitation for the playoffs at this tournament, and this will be their first game since mid-December when they lost to Gambit at the MIDNITE Nine to Five 7. It was a Grand Final defeat for the Russians, who earned $15,000 for 2nd place. Prior to that loss, forZe defeated ex-ETHEREAL and Cloud9 without dropping a map along the way. forZe lost 12 of the previous 19 matches.

In the last three months, forZe was decent on Inferno (62.5% win rate), Mirage (59.1%), and Train (55.6%), while they disappointed on Overpass (14.3%) and Dust2 (20.0%). forZe assembled its current squad in October 2020 and appeared on 75 maps with a record of 35 wins and 40 losses. The lineup is made of facecrack (0.95 rating), almazer (0.99), FL1T (1.12), xsepower (1.10), and Jerry (1.01).

HellRaisers Team Stats and Latest Results

HellRaisers concluded the year behind us in style, with five wins in six games, and although they are underdogs here, I wouldn’t bet against them. Before the winter break, HellRaisers beat Project X, Espada, and MBAPPEKK to make it to the playoffs at the Vulkan Fight Series 2020. Even so, the bookies don’t believe they can defeat forZe in this one. HellRaisers won 12 of the last 17 games, including the most recent one over ex-ETHEREAL.

During the previous three months, HellRaisers played well on Dust2 (71.4%) and Train (60.0%), while they were below average on Vertigo (33.3%) and Overpass (40.0%). HellRaisers are also playing with the same lineup since October last year and appeared on 66 maps with a record of 36 wins and 30 losses. The team members are jR (1.06 rating), kalinka (1.01), Flarich (1.02), ProbLeM (1.10), and JIaYm (1.09).

forZe vs. HellRaisers H2H Record

These rivals have met on two occasions before, and HellRaisers won both encounters. They have already faced with the current lineups at the ESEA MDL Season 35 Europe in late October and HellRaisers dismantled forZe 16-3 on Dust2.

forZe vs. HellRaisers Betting Preview

Because of that latest H2H duel and HellRaisers’ form of late, I cannot bet against them on Thursday. I am not saying they will defeat forZe again, but I am pretty sure they can take at least a map. That being said, if you like to back the safer option, you should go with HellRaisers to cover a +1.5 handicap at -217. On the other hand, if you’re chasing higher odds, go with Over 2.5 maps, which is also my bet for this tilt.

The Pick: Over 2.5 Maps (+109 @GG.BET)