- What: ESL Pro League CS:GO Season 19: Group A
- Where: InterContinental Hotel in Saint Julian’s, Malta
- Date: Tuesday, April 23, 2024 – Sunday, April 28, 2024
- How to Watch: Twitch
Thirty-two of the best CS:GO teams in the world are on their way to Malta to compete in Season 19 of the ESL Pro League CS:GO event. The first of the four Group Stages of the tournament begins on Tuesday, April 23. The event, which features a total prize pool of $750,000, comes to a close on May 12.
This week the following teams open the event, participating in Group A: FaZe Clan, Astralis, Virtus.Pro, Eternal Fire, SAW, Imperial, Fnatic, and 3DMAX.
The Group Stage sees the 32 CS:GO teams divided into four triple-elimination format groups. The top four teams from each eight-team group advance to the single-elimination playoffs. All of the ESL Pro League Season 19 CS:GO matchups will be played in a best-of-three series. The Grand Finals will be a best-of-five format.
Last year, MOUZ took home the Season 18 title and the top prize of $200,000. They topped Natus Vincere in the Grand Final 3-0. This year, MOUZ is in Group C in 2023, and Natus Vincere is part of Group D.
Before we look at the betting breakdown of Group A of the ESL Pro League CS:GO Season 19, check out the best sites for betting on CS:GO events, and while you’re at it, take a look at the best sports betting apps and mobile options.
ESL Pro League CS:GO Season 19 Group A betting breakdown
FaZe Clan
The Season 17 ESL Pro League champions, FaZe Clan, failed to defend their title in Season 18. The team finished in a disappointing 9th-12th place last year, winning $25,000 for their efforts. The team righted the ship after that, earning a total of $500,000 after placing first at the Thunderpick World Championship 2023 event and winning the CS Asia Championships 2023. FaZe Clan followed up with runner-up finishes at the BLAST Premier: World Final 2023, Intel Extreme Masters Katowice 2024, and PGL Major Copenhagen 2024. In their most recent competition, FaZe Clan won the Intel Extreme Masters Chengdu 2024 tournament.
Most of the team’s roster has been together since early 2022. The newest member of the team, frozen, joined in December 2023. Following season 18, FaZe Clan picked up a new interim head coach in NEO. One of the best Counter-Strike players ever, NEO, had the interim tag removed from his status in November.
FaZe Clan play Imperial Esports in the opening round.
Astralis
This European club, which plays out of Denmark, did not make it out of the Group Stage in Season 17, ultimately finishing in 17th-20th place and winning $15,000. Astralis improved a bit in Season 18, finishing in 13th-16th place for a prize of $20,000 after fighting their way back after losing their first matchup of the quarterfinals to Ninjas in Pyjamas. The squad is coming off a 3rd-4th place finish at the recent Intel Extreme Masters Chengdu 2024 event, where FaZe Clan eliminated them 2-1 in the semifinals.
Astralis’ roster has not been working together for too long. The longest-tenured member of the team is dev1ce, who joined in 2022. Three other players have been with the club since 2023. The most recent signings are br0, who joined in March of this year, and their coach, ruggah, who also joined in March.
Astralis opens the tournament against Eternal Fire
Virtus.Pro
Virtus.Pro is a Russian CS:GO club that did not play in Season 17 of the ESL Pro League event. The club finished Season 18 in 13th-16th place and took home $20,000.
The team failed to get out of the Elimination Stage at the PGL Major Copenhagen 2024 in March and in their most recent tournament, Virtus.Pro placed 5th-6th at the Intel Extreme Masters Chengdu 2024, falling in the quarterfinals to G2 Esports 2-0.
Most of the roster has been playing together since 2022, but Virtus.Pro added electoNic in mid-April.
Virtus.Pro opens Season 19 of the ESL Pro League against Fnatic.
Best bet to win Group A of ESL Pro League CS:GO Season 19
With how well the team has been playing under NEO, the betting pick is for FaZe Clan to win Group A of ESL Pro League CS:GO Season 19.
Make this bet and more at the best esports online betting sites.
