StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 – Fase 2 Pick'em: Forudsigelser og meninger

Tomorrow marks the start of the second stage of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, which means it’s time to update your predictions — the Pick’Em for this phase is now available. We’re heading into much tougher matches, as top-tier teams join the competition, while those who successfully made it through the first stage will try to prove that their success was no fluke. In this blog, we’ll discuss the chances of the teams that advanced from the opening stage, evaluate their form, strengths, and weaknesses, and take a look at who might become the biggest surprise of this part of the tournament.

What Is the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Pick'Em and How It Works

The Pick'Em Challenge for the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is an interactive game where you can test your Counter-Strike 2 knowledge by predicting match outcomes throughout the tournament. To participate, you need a Viewer Pass, which unlocks all challenges.

Before each stage — Challengers, Legends, and Champions — participants choose the teams they believe will advance or get eliminated. Correct predictions award points, allowing you to upgrade your Pick’Em coin from bronze to gold. Completing all tasks may also earn you in-game rewards, making the Major viewing experience even more exciting.

Pick’em Rules and Strategy for Stage 2

In the Swiss System, you must make ten predictions: select two teams that will finish the stage with a 3-0 score, choose six teams that will advance with at least three wins, and pick two teams that will end the stage 0-3.

Remember: you earn points for 3-0 and 0-3 only if a team finishes the stage with that exact score. If a team you placed in the 3-0 slot still advances but does so with a 3-1 or 3-2 record, you won’t receive any points for that pick. That’s why, considering their recent success and overall stability, it’s safer to place strong contenders like Aurora, 3DMAX, FlyQuest and NAVI in the “will advance” section. This helps you avoid losing easy points if they unexpectedly drop a map.

The 3-0 slot is better suited for more volatile teams — those that could either run flawless or collapse entirely. For the 0-3 slot, it’s usually wise to pick underdogs, especially teams coming from regional qualifiers who may struggle to adapt to LAN conditions. And don’t forget to lock in your Pick’Em before the first match begins. Intuition matters, but a well-built strategy always gives you the edge.

EGamersWorld Prediction for StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 2

Considering the previous stage, where Legacy and FaZe were the favorites to go 3-0, things turned out quite differently: FaZe had a much tougher path and advanced with a 3-2 record, while Legacy were eliminated at 2-3. The real surprises came from M80 and FlyQuest, who finished the stage 3-0.

This time, the choice is just as difficult, but I’m willing to take a risk and place 3DMAX and Aurora in the 3-0 slots. For the “will advance” section, I’m giving preference to NAVI, B8, M80, FaZe, Astralis, and FlyQuest.

As for the 0-3 category, I believe the biggest struggles will be for MIBR and TYLOO, who are unlikely to put up much of a fight.

YouTubers Pick’em for StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 2

I recommend preparing carefully and checking different perspectives. Before forming your own Pick’Em predictions, take a look at videos from popular YouTubers — many have already shared their selections for StarLadder Budapest Major 2025. These videos often include fresh ideas, unconventional opinions, and useful breakdowns that can help you make more accurate predictions.

Many of these creators are seasoned analysts, commentators, or former pros, so their insights are definitely worth considering.

austincs

Source: YouTube austincs

austincs’ Pick’Em looks unusual but well-thought-out. For the 3–0 slots, he selected Aurora and NAVI, two teams that genuinely have the potential to breeze through the stage undefeated. In the 0–3 slot he placed Imperial and B8, assuming they may struggle the most at this point. For the advancement picks, austincs went with Liquid, TYLOO, Astralis, Passion UA, MIBR, and FlyQuest — a blend of favorites and bold outsiders. Overall, his Pick’Em feels intriguing and fairly balanced.

pimp

Source: pimp X

In the previous stage, he secured an impressive five correct picks, showing strong awareness of current team form. For the next stage, his predictions are more aggressive and risk-oriented: for 3–0, he chose Aurora and Liquid, while his 0–3 picks are Imperial and PARIVISION. For advancement, pimp trusts 3DMAX, Astralis, NAVI, NiP, TYLOO, and FaZe, combining obvious choices with potential upset candidates.

FalleN

Source: Ozzny X

The FURIA captain approaches this stage with bold logic. For 3–0, he picked 3DMAX and NAVI, betting on teams with strong tempo and explosive openings. His 0–3 choices — B8 and M80 — are rather surprising and even controversial, considering both teams’ ability to steal maps from favorites. For advancement, FalleN trusts the stability and experience of FaZe, Astralis, Aurora, NiP, Liquid, and Imperial, prioritizing lineups capable of performing under pressure.

KSCERATO

Source: Ozzny X

The star rifler of FURIA went for a highly unconventional and risky prediction set. For 3–0, he selected PARIVISION and fnatic, betting on potential upsets and explosive underdog form. His 0–3 picks — TYLOO and Astralis — are even bolder, given both teams’ ability to fight even top-tier opponents. For advancement, KSCERATO believes in a mix of stable and unpredictable teams: FlyQuest, MIBR, Passion UA, NAVI, 3DMAX, and Imperial, showing his belief in deep competition and the possibility of surprises in every match.

kassad

Source: kassad YouTube

The Serbian former coach of Renegades and 100 Thieves, now a well-known CS2 analyst and commentator, is famous for his bluntness and deep understanding of the game’s macro. His Pick’Em is, predictably, far from ordinary. For 3–0, kassad picked NAVI and Aurora, backing teams with strong early-round structure. In the 0–3 slot, he placed fnatic and Passion UA, a tough verdict considering both teams’ ability to contest maps. For advancement, he went with a balanced mix of favorites and potential upset creators: TYLOO, 3DMAX, Liquid, Astralis, M80, and B8, reflecting his belief in the chaotic nature of this stage.

CS2 StarLadder Budapest Major Pick’Em: Medal

The Pick’Em Challenge in CS2 for the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 allows players to continue their path toward the prestigious tournament medal, and Stage 2 is a crucial step in that journey. At this stage, you must once again demonstrate prediction accuracy and select the teams that will advance further. The level of competition rises significantly, as top-tier teams enter the stage while the squads that made it through Stage 1 aim to prove their consistency.

To stay in contention for the highest-tier medal, it’s important to secure enough correct Pick’Em choices. In Stage 2, the risks are higher, so your strategy needs to be more careful: rely on the favorites, consider their stability, recent form, and map pool strength. It’s also essential to evaluate how well the teams have adapted after the first stage and how they perform against stronger opponents.

A thorough analysis of results, map pools, and individual player form will help you maintain your chances of completing all Pick’Em tasks and continue progressing toward the gold medal at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025.