In the group stage of the ESL Pro League Season 21, we will see a match between NAVI and SAW. NAVI are the previous winners of ESL Pro League Season 20 and are among the favorites. On the other hand, SAW are showing good performance with their new lineup, and during this honeymoon period, they might achieve great results. In this article, we will analyze the current form of the teams, the possible map pool, and provide a prediction for the match outcome.
Current Form of the Teams
NAVI approach ESL Pro League Season 21 in a fighting mood. Their average rating for the last month is 5.8, and the team has already shown themselves at IEM Katowice 2025. There, they reached the playoffs without much difficulty but then lost to Spirit with a score of 0-2. Obviously, they lacked practice, but now, after a month of intensive training, they can demonstrate their best form.
Date
Team
Score
Opponent
Feb 08
Natus Vincere
0 - 2
Spirit
Feb 04
Natus Vincere
2 - 0
The MongolZ
Feb 03
Natus Vincere
2 - 1
Spirit
Feb 01
Natus Vincere
2 - 0
FURIA
Jan 25
Natus Vincere
0 - 2
Spirit
SAW, on the contrary, are experiencing an unstable period. Their average rating is 5.9, but despite this, they managed to make an impressive comeback at PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025, reaching the playoffs despite rumors of a possible disbandment. However, in the first round of the playoffs, they lost to FaZe and exited the tournament. Nonetheless, in the Play-in ESL Pro League Season 21, the team showed confident play, managing to advance to the next stage.
Date
Team
Score
Opponent
Mar 03
SAW
2 - 1
M80
Mar 02
SAW
2 - 1
FURIA
Mar 01
SAW
2 - 1
HEROIC
Feb 21
SAW
0 - 2
FaZe
Feb 18
SAW
2 - 0
3DMAX
Map Pool
NAVI will most likely ban Train, as they have not played it once since its return to the map pool. Previously, their permanent ban was Vertigo, but Train became a logical replacement. For their pick, NAVI will likely choose Dust2, where they have an 80% win rate over 15 games, or Ancient, where their win rate is 75% over 20 games.
SAW, with a high probability, will ban Mirage. They have avoided this map for the past 6 months, banning it 28 times in a row. As their choice, they might go for Nuke — one of their strongest maps (71% win rate over 24 games) or take a risk on Dust2, where they have a 60% win rate. Anubis remains a stable map for SAW, but their performance on it is less confident (50% win rate).
Map
Natus Vincere Winrate
M
B
Last 5 Matches (Natus Vincere)
SAW Winrate
M
B
Last 5 Matches (SAW)
Train
0%
0
7
FB, FB, FB, FB, FB
100%
1
1
W
Mirage
61%
18
0
W, W, W, L, L
0%
0
28
FB, FB, FB, FB, FB
Anubis
100%
4
11
W, W, W, W, W
50%
10
8
L, W, L, L, L
Ancient
71%
17
4
W, W, L, W, W
43%
21
7
W, L, L, L, L
Inferno
54%
13
6
W, W, FB, W, FB
62%
13
8
W, W, L, W, L
Dust II
62%
13
5
W, W, W, L, L
55%
11
9
W, W, W, L, L
Nuke
58%
12
8
W, L, W, L, L
55%
20
3
L, L, L, W, W
Match Prediction
Based on the current form of the teams and the possible map pool, NAVI appear to be the favorites in this match. They underwent serious preparation before ESL Pro League Season 21 and are likely to show a more cohesive game. SAW, although they have proven their combat capability in the previous stage, still face roster issues.
Prediction: NAVI to win 2-0
ESL Pro League Season 21 takes place from March 1 to 16 in Stockholm, Sweden. 24 teams are competing for a prize pool of $400,000. Follow the schedule, match results, and tournament progress at the link here.
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