ESL Pro League 22 returns with a global field, a two-stage Swiss format leading into playoffs, and multiple betting markets already open. Among the main favorites are Team Vitality, The MongolZ, and Team Spirit, but teams like MOUZ, FURIA, and Team Falcons also have something to say. In this preview, we dive into the event details, review the latest odds, and conclude with betting predictions.
ESL Pro League has long been a marquee competition in the Counter-Strike ecosystem, and Season 22 continues that tradition with heightened stakes. The event combines the attention due to top dogs in the house, but accomplishes it with natural volatility and unpredictability. Teams must stay sharp across multiple rounds to survive, while many fans are seeking the most promising betting tips for Counter-Strike in this chaos.
| ℹ️ Tournament: | Counter-Strike 2, ESL Pro League Season 22 |
| 🧾 Format: | CS2 LAN S-tier tournament with 16 teams and a few stages |
| 🎮 Venue: | ESL Studio, Stockholm, Sweden |
| 🗓️ Dates: | 4-12 October 2025 |
The competition started with Stage 1, where 16 teams were battling in a Swiss-style bracket, which will feature the second round as well. Traditionally, each team plays up to five rounds, with three wins giving a ticket to the playoffs, while three losses mean elimination. With eight qualifiers and the same number of invited teams in Stage 2, the event resembles a Major, with the following playoffs being held with single elimination Bo3 quarterfinals and semifinals, while the culminating Grand Final will be played in Bo5 format.
Prize money is distributed among all participants, with the winner earning the largest share ($250,000, a combined players’ and club’s share) going to the winner. Matches will be run in LAN conditions in a new ELS venue in Stockholm, which isn’t a perfect place for thousands of fans, keeping the studio atmosphere of the offline S-tier event.
The leading Esports betting sites finally presented the outright winner odds, showing clear favorites and tight margins among the top contenders. Here are the top-5 teams before Stage 2 started:
At 2.85 (15/8) in many books, Vitality are the current favourites. Their recent form has been doubtful: Vitality dominated the CS Pro scene before the summer break, but couldn’t return from the relaxing period. Still, the core in the face of “ZywOo,” “ropz,” and “flameZ” can still demonstrate map discipline and huge clutch potential, especially in best-of-3 settings. On the flip side, their few losses in recent big matches suggest a slight vulnerability under pressure and some kind of exhausting, especially against teams that adapt well or have strong map veto counters. If they get off to a shaky start in Swiss, there’s a risk, but their odds reward their high ceiling.
The odds of 4.0 (3/1) place them as the second force, mostly thanks to the performances of “donk” and “sh1ro”. Spirit has shown strong peaks recently, winning IEM Cologne and BLAST Bounty Fall, while their ability to close out high-pressure matches makes them a dangerous opponent in any matchup. However, they’ve had some underwhelming runs lately, and roster/team cohesion or map pool weaknesses might be exposed in a long tournament. If they can avoid the early Swiss pitfalls, they could absolutely upset the top.
The recent HLTV’s number 1 sits around 5.0 (4/1) in outright odds. Their rise this year (strong performances, tournament wins / runner-ups) gives them momentum. They have fewer expectations (less pressure), which lets them play more freely. Their map style tends to be aggressive, which can disrupt more disciplined lineups. But consistency, especially in Bo5 (if they make the final), could be a concern. Also, they may suffer in map vetoes vs more experienced favorites. Still, they’re very viable for deep runs and possible upsets.
They have pedigree, experience, and individual firepower, which is reflected in the odds at the level of 5.50 (9/2). Their track record indicates they can beat strong teams when in form. But latency under pressure and map pool depth are questions. If MOUZ can survive Stage 1 and then pick up momentum, they might push into the semis or finals, but winning the whole thing would require near-perfect execution.
With odds around 7.0 (6/1), the Falcons are a step behind the top teams but very much in the mix. They don’t have quite the same resume as Vitality or Spirit in the biggest events, but they’ve shown flashes and upset potential. If their group stage draw is favorable or they avoid early chokepoints, their odds offer good value, as “NiKo” and “m0NESY” can be a deadly duo in the playoffs. Their margin for error is smaller, though: one bad map or inconsistent performance could see them eliminated even on the Swiss stage.
Here are more actionable predictions, with real odds and specific tips aiming at value bets for punters.
0
(100%) 1
Given their consistency, recent grand final appearances, strong core and map discipline, Vitality offer the best risk/reward among the favourites. At 2.85, the odds are low enough to suggest clear favourites but still provide enough return for a well-informed bet. Just a few months ago, Vitality were crashing everyone on the stage, showing enough passion and resilience. It looks like Vitality received enough mental reset, and so they should be able to ride through to the bracket and have a solid shot at the title.
1 (100%)
0
The MongolZ to reach the final is also worth considering. Given their momentum and lower expectations, bookmakers might underprice them in this market. The major CS2 betting sites are ready to multiply the bet by 2.5 for them to reach the final, which is a good speculative wager. The MongolZ has already shown they can go deep and beat any opponent, and the desire to save the top HLTV spot can be an extra motivation.
1 (100%)
0
Furia are heavy favorites in this opening matchup, but their tough 3-2 route through Stage 1 confirms the hangover rule. After claiming the Fissure Playground #2 title, the Brazilian organization faced enough troubles en route to Stage 2 of the ESL Pro League S22. On the contrary, 3DMAX are one of the teams on the highest level that are ready to deliver an upset against the heavy favorite.
If you are placing one big wager, we recommend looking at the following betting tips:
With Vitality still being at the top of the list, The MongolZ’s deepest run also looks attractive. Underdogs like Falcons or MOUZ might not win it all, but in the right matchup or upset story, they can provide strong value, especially if you time the bet after early rounds when odds shift. Always factor in map pool, recent form against similar style teams, and mental resilience in long tournaments.
