win.gg
Win.gg Counter-Strike The best predictions for the CSGO Rio Major challenger stage

The best predictions for the CSGO Rio Major challenger stage

Author Icon
William Davis Published 25/10/2022

The Rio Major challenger stage is almost here, and our predictions are based on Major history, recent form, and vibes.

The Rio Major is a rare opportunity for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive players to get their hands on more souvenir gun skins. Players who have purchased the pass can earn free souvenir tokens and even a platinum coin for correctly predicting how the world’s best CSGO teams will perform. The challenger stage includes some of the less-known teams, which can make it difficult for more casual fans. With recent statistics and major history in mind, here are our predictions for the CSGO Rio Major.

Our predictions for the CSGO Rio Major challenger stage

First up is our prediction for which team will go 3-0. The most likely picks for this category are Team Vitality and Cloud9. The French-Danish team didn’t perform very well in the RMR qualifier, but Vitality is otherwise fresh off a championship at ESL Pro League Season 16. Cloud9 is another prestigious team with a history of advancing at the majors. Our Rio Major 3-0 prediction is Vitality due to the team’s strong recent performance and trove of major experience.

CSGO Rio Major challenger predictions

As for the other teams that will advance, we predict the following squads will make it to the Rio Major legends stage.

Bad News Eagles has been slowly climbing the European rankings as a contender, and a recent trophy at Tipsport Cup Prague gives it some momentum. GamerLegion is in a similar position, knocking major mainstay G2 Esports out of the RMR in a thrilling three-game series. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXT7m_fi9RE

Outsiders is a clear analog to Cloud9, but the team historically has better results on LAN. FURIA is one of the strongest teams from the Americas, and while it can struggle in big international events, the challenger stage should be easy pickings. Roster shakeups aside, Fnatic is looking strong going into the Rio Major with RMR wins over Eternal Fire and 1win. Our predictions for the Rio Major challenger stages ends with Imperial Esports. Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo’s last dance won’t end early on his home turf.

Lastly, the place of dishonor at 0-3 goes to Grayhound Gaming. The Australian team struggled in the Asia-Pacific RMR, losing to IHC Esports and dropping a game to Rare Atom. Greyhound could surprise with a win over another less-favored squad, but that’s not what most international fans expect from the team. Other contenders for 0-3 Rio Major challenger predictions are 00 Nation and Evil Geniuses.

William Davis
About William Davis

View full profile
Read Also
ENVY Returns to Counter-Strike After Five Years, Picking Up an “Unpaid” 3DMAX Roster Counter-Strike
ENVY Returns to Counter-Strike After Five Years, Picking Up an “Unpaid” 3DMAX Roster Owen Harsono North American esports organization ENVY has officially made its return to Counter-Strike. After putting its CS:GO division on hold in 2021, the org returns by signing the full former 3DMAX roster, so they aren't starting from scratch. ENVY is not only a massive esports organization, but also a legendary one in Counter-Strike. The org fielded one of the strongest French rosters in history, winning the DreamHack Open Cluj-Napoca Major in ...
Complexity Gaming shuts down after 23 years – Here’s what we know Valorant
Complexity Gaming shuts down after 23 years – Here’s what we know Khizar Mundia Esports organization Complexity Gaming is ending its 23-year run, as its founder announces its shutdown. Complexity is an organization that has been around since the early days of esports. The organization had rosters in multiple games, including Counter-Strike and Valorant. Despite this, Complexity’s CS roster was the most famous, as it won several major events. This is why it was a surprise for fans to hear that Complexity is shutting ...
Team Vitality vs FURIA: Predictions and best picks for StarLadder StarSeries 2026 Counter-Strike
Team Vitality vs FURIA: Predictions and best picks for StarLadder StarSeries 2026 Owen Harsono We have a clash of titans in the StarLadder StarSeries Fall consolidation final, as Team Vitality will take on FURIA for a grand final spot. Both teams have shown signs of shakiness throughout the event, so expect some scrappy Counter-Strike. Here are our Team Vitality vs FURIA predictions. Tournament: StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026 Stage: Playoffs – Lower Bracket Final Game: Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) Format: Best of 3 Betting tip: These ...
MOUZ vs FURIA: Predictions and best picks for StarLadder StarSeries 2026 Counter-Strike
MOUZ vs FURIA: Predictions and best picks for StarLadder StarSeries 2026 Owen Harsono MOUZ are set to take on FURIA in a do-or-die match in the $500,000 StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026 lower bracket. Both teams have already suffered losses at the event, but we believe one team is in much better shape than the other. Here are our MOUZ vs FURIA predictions for September 19. Tournament: StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026 Stage: Playoffs Game: Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) Format: Best of 3 Betting tip: MOUZ ...
StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026: Teams, format, schedule, and prize pool Counter-Strike
StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026: Teams, format, schedule, and prize pool Owen Harsono Top-tier Counter-Strike is back on the menu with StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026. It’s not a 16-team tournament with every top team in attendance, but it’s still bound to entertain us for a solid four days. Here’s everything you need to know about StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026. Tier 1 Counter-Strike lands in Spain again for the first time in a while, with only eight teams in attendance. StarLadder StarSeries will be ...
Team Spirit vs Team Falcons at BLAST Open Fall 2026: best predictions and picks Counter-Strike
Team Spirit vs Team Falcons at BLAST Open Fall 2026: best predictions and picks Owen Harsono We’re in for a treat, as the BLAST Open Fall semi-final will feature a matchup between Team Spirit and Team Falcons, with the winner booking a spot in the grand final. It’s a battle between the world number one and number two, so this is a match you definitely don’t want to miss. Here are our BLAST Open Fall Team Spirit vs Team Falcons predictions. Tournament: BLAST Open Fall 2026 ...
Is CS2 Dying in 2026? Counter-Strike
Is CS2 Dying in 2026? Owen Harsono Counter-Strike is one of the longest-standing esports franchises, having built a loyal fanbase over the course of two decades. However, if you’ve browsed through social media platforms across the past few months, you might have seen people claiming that the game is dying or on a steady decline. Below we’ll take a look at why people are talking about this and answer the question of “is CS2 really dying?” One ...