Welcome back eSports enthusiasts to another quick write-up from Optimus Crime. This week, we turn our attention to the highly regarded Intel Extreme Masters in Sydney, Australia. With some of the best teams in the world competing here, it’s an absolute honour to be able to head down locally and check out some of the action this weekend. With teams such as SK Gaming, and FaZe clan, the competition will be incredibly close to watch. Featuring our very own Chiefs gaming, it’s a tournament that will turns heads all over the international scene.
Coming into the weekend, here’s our outlook on the action on Saturday, the 6th of May.
Playoffs, Saturday 6th May, 12:00pm AEST
With doors to the event opening at 12:00pm, we can expect the first semi-final game to get underway at about 3:00pm.
SK Gaming vs Optic Gaming, 3:00pm AEST
SK Gaming have been around for years. Back before Counter-Strike: Source, and even before the 1.6 days, SK Gaming are one of the most recognisable teams internationally. Hailing from Brazil, they have proved time and time again just how competitive the American scene can be in CS:GO. Coming off domination match against Gambit to seal their win for CS_Summit, they are looking unstoppable. Optic Gaming are always an enigma to watch. When they are on fire, they can frag with the best of the best, but if they start tilting, you can expect SK Gaming to absolutely roll them here. They’ve lost to SK Gaming most times they’ve faced off, and I expect SK Gaming to pull through here and take the match quite easily.
TIP: SK Gaming to beat Optic Gaming at $1.15 at CrownBet
SIDE NOTE: Wait for markets to open fully on Saturday. You’ll get better value here going for SK Gaming taking the first map, so keep an eye open.
FaZe Clan vs Astralis, 6:50pm AEST
For those who haven’t ever touched Counter-Strike, FaZe should still ring a bell. Known for their outrageous style of playing, and an enormous Youtube following worldwide, FaZe are here, and showing everyone what can happen with a team that plays so unorthodoxically, clinching some amazing wins against some of the best in the world.
As much as i’ll give them praise however, watch out for Astralis. Astralis have beaten FaZe before in an IEM only earlier in the year, so look to them to follow it up and make it a back to back tournament win. With superstars such as dupreeh filling out their line-up, they should be a great one to pick up this weekend while the odds are fantastic.
TIP: Astralis to beat FaZe Clan at $1.80 at CrownBet
SIDE NOTE: Wait for markets to open fully Saturday. Again, should be better value in Astralis to take the first map when it opens up.
And that’s it for the weekend! While we are still in a lul with major tournaments, you can expect Oceanic splits to start opening up for winter tournaments. So stay tuned, as we continue to follow wherever the action goes, and provide some great value tips for you all out there!
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Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!