The Esports World Cup 2025 is heating up as Team Spirit faces off against Gaimin Gladiators in the playoffs on July 16, 2025, at 09:00 UTC. This best-of-3 series promises intense action between these two formidable teams. You can follow the match here. We have analyzed the statistics and the current form of the teams to make a prediction for the match outcome.

Current form of the teams

Team Spirit

Team Spirit, a powerhouse in the Dota 2 scene, currently holds a strong position with a world ranking that reflects their consistent performance. Their recent form has been impressive, boasting a win rate of 70% in the last month and 68% over the recent half-year. Team Spirit has also been on a two-match win streak, showcasing their dominance in the ongoing Esports World Cup 2025. Their recent victories against Natus Vincere and Talon Esports highlight their readiness for the playoffs. Additionally, Team Spirit has earned $755,000 over the last six months, ranking 5th in earnings among their peers. In the PGL Wallachia Season 5, they secured a respectable 4th place, adding to their strong track record.

Gaimin Gladiators 

On the other hand, Gaimin Gladiators have shown resilience, with a recent win streak of one match. Their overall win rate stands at 49%, with a slight increase to 53% in the last month. Gaimin Gladiators have had a mixed performance in the Esports World Cup 2025, with a recent victory against Team Yandex and draws against Team Falcons and BetBoom Team. Their earnings over the past six months amount to $647,500, placing them 7th in the earnings ranking. Despite a 9-10th place finish in the FISSURE Universe: Episode 5, Gaimin Gladiators remain a team capable of surprising their opponents.

Most Frequent Picks

In professional Dota 2, the drafting stage has a decisive impact on the outcome of the match. Hero selection is closely tied to the current meta, which dictates the pace of the game, team fight strength, map control, and overall team strategy.

Team Spirit

Gaimin Gladiators 

Most Frequent Bans

Bans play an equally important role. Teams aim to eliminate the most dangerous or "signature" heroes of the opponent, limiting their comfort in the game. Especially in the early stages of the draft, the strongest heroes of the current meta are often blocked — their absence can significantly affect the course of the entire series.

Team Spirit

Gaimin Gladiators

Head-to-Head

In previous encounters, Team Spirit has had the upper hand against Gaimin Gladiators, winning four out of their last five meetings. Notably, Team Spirit secured victories in March 2025, with scores of 2-0 and 2-1, demonstrating their ability to outperform Gaimin Gladiators in crucial matches. Gaimin Gladiators managed to claim a win in their most recent match in May 2025, suggesting they have the potential to challenge Team Spirit. However, the overall head-to-head win rate favors Team Spirit, making them the more likely victor in this matchup.

Match Prediction

Based on the analysis of recent performances, win rates, and head-to-head history, Team Spirit is expected to win this series 2-0 against Gaimin Gladiators. Team Spirit’s superior form and track record in recent tournaments give them a significant edge. With a win probability of 74% in favor of Team Spirit, they are poised to advance further in the Esports World Cup 2025.

Prediction: Team Spirit 2:0 Gaimin Gladiators

Odds for the match are provided by Stake and are current at the time of publication.   

The Esports World Cup 2025 takes place from July 8 to July 19 in Saudi Arabia, featuring a prize pool of $3,000,000. You can follow the news, schedule, and results of the tournament via the link.