The ESL Pro League Season 15 is well underway and the esports betting market is already getting an increase in attention.
For gamers that prefer wagering on individual games on a map or match winner basis, LV BET ticks a lot of boxes for the ESL Pro League. They offer handicap markets too, which can prove a good way of finding value on short-price favorites pre-match. New LV BET customers can also take advantage of enhanced odds up to 20%, which is a promotion that ranks highly as one of the most popular welcome bonuses among the leading UK-licensed bookmakers.
Although there is significant interest in the individual matchups, there’s just as much intrigue in the futures markets. Esports bettors are keen to get a handle on the potential outright winners of the $175,000 first prize and direct seeding into the 2022 BLAST World Final.
But before that happens, it’s time to take a closer look at ESL Pro League Season 15, set to take the stage at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Germany. Below, we explore the three most likely candidates to finish top of the pile in Season 15.
Ninjas in Pyjamas
Most people were stunned to see Ninjas in Pyjamas outperform G2 Esports in the group stage. G2 was said to be the clear favorite in Group A, with a bulging roster of talented professionals. G2 was said to be in great form too, finishing runner-up in the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Major.
Ninjas in Pyjamas upset the form book to finish top of the pile with four wins in five matches. It’s possible that the Ninjas in Pyjamas roster is now starting to mature, with the recent addition of Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz beginning to bear fruit.
Natus Vincere
Natus Vincere is the odds-on favorite to storm to the top of Group D, which is no surprise to CSGO fans. It is one of the most gifted Counter-Strike rosters in esports right now. After finishing last year on the crest of a wave, Natus Vincere will be looking to make a bold play at this season’s ESL Pro League.
Heroic
Heroic was one of three new partner teams for the ESL Pro League last year, having applied for a place under the terms of the “Louvre Agreement.” Heroic, Furia, and BIG were introduced for Season 15 and Heroic was instantly feared as one of the potential winners of this tournament outright. The Danish team, founded by former players of Team X, has Swede Richard “Xizt” Landstrom as its interim coach. Heroic’s key men are Casper “cadiaN” Moller, as well as Martin “stavn” Lund, both of whom are the longest-standing players on the Heroic roster.
The ESL Pro League is certainly one of the most successful CSGO leagues in the world of esports. Founded in conjunction with ESEA in 2015, the first two seasons saw $1 million in prize money ring-fenced across the two campaigns. Although it started out as a competition for teams based on Europe and North America, the ESL Pro League has broadened its horizons to welcome teams from the Far East, South America, and Oceania.
