During the group stage of IEM Katowice 2025 Play-in, a match will take place between Liquid and HEROIC. Both teams are approaching the tournament with different forms, but are determined to prove their readiness to fight for a spot in the next stage. In this article, we will analyze the current form of the teams, their map pools, and provide a prediction for the upcoming match.

Current Form of the Teams

Liquid

Currently, Liquid shows confident but unstable form. The team's average rating for the past month is 6.1, although only two matches have been played. At the Perfect World Shanghai Major, the team passed the Opening Stage with a score of 3-0 and the Elimination Stage with a score of 3-1, but they couldn't advance past the quarter-finals of the playoffs.

In the BLAST Bounty Spring 2025: Closed Qualifier, Liquid managed to defeat 9 Pandas with a score of 2-0, but lost to HEROIC with a score of 1-2, failing to reach the playoffs. In their last five matches, Liquid secured victories over 9 Pandas, MIBR, and FURIA, but suffered defeats to Spirit and HEROIC. The team shows a variety of play styles but still faces challenges against top opponents.

HEROIC

HEROIC, in recent performances, is also not showing stability. The team's average rating for the last month is 5.7, based on three matches played. At the Perfect World Shanghai Major Elimination Stage, the team advanced with a score of 3-2 but finished the tournament at the quarter-finals.

In the BLAST Bounty Spring 2025, HEROIC managed to reach the playoffs, defeating two teams with a score of 2-1, but fell to Spirit with a score of 0-2. In their last five matches, HEROIC defeated Liquid, 3DMAX, and NAVI, but suffered losses to Spirit and G2. The team demonstrates strong tactical play but sometimes struggles with pressure in critical moments.

Map Pool of the Teams

Most likely, Liquid will ban Vertigo — a map they traditionally exclude most frequently. Meanwhile, HEROIC will probably remove Inferno, which they have banned 34 times. For map picks, Liquid might choose Anubis with a high win rate of 78% or Ancient with 83%, focusing on their strengths. In turn, HEROIC may prefer Mirage with a win rate of 63% or Ancient, considering their results and the opponent's weaknesses. Nuke might remain as the deciding map since both teams play it quite often, albeit with varying degrees of success.

Head-to-Head Meetings

Over the past six months, Liquid and HEROIC have met only once — 10 days ago. Then, HEROIC claimed victory with a score of 2:1. In that match, the Danish team showed tactical superiority, although the action on all maps was intense.

Match Prediction

The upcoming match promises to be close, but HEROIC holds a slight advantage. Their recent victory over Liquid and steady approach to map selection favor them. Nonetheless, Liquid has the potential to surprise with their diverse map pool and ability to adapt to their opponents' style.

Prediction: HEROIC to win 2:1

IEM Katowice 2025 will take place from January 29 to February 9 in Katowice, Poland. Twenty-four teams will compete for a prize pool of $1 million. You can follow the event's schedule and results via this link.