Group B of the IEM Rio 2023 event continues as the playoffs get underway later this week and there are plenty of opportunities for teams to make one final big splash.

With 20 teams all trying to take home a grand prize of $100,000 and automatic qualification for IEM Cologne 2023, things couldn't be more important for these teams.

Many of the top CS:GO teams in the world have already been sent home. After Tuesday's action, that features the likes of Fnatic, Team Vitality, FaZe Clan and FURIA Esports, things will become clear on who will reach the playoffs of this event.

Let's take a look at Tuesday's matches.

Fnatic is the logical choice to cover

9z have a huge opportunity to beat Fnatic in a Group B lower bracket match. It's win or go home for either one of these teams.

This isn't the first meeting between the teams as they faced off in the IEM Rio Major 2022 Challengers Stage. That match was won by Fnatic 16-11 on Mirage and 16-14 on Nuke.

9z have been helped by top player dgt who is averaging 0.75 kills per round. However, the team doesn't have much experience in big matches.

That's why backing Fnatic with their experienced line-up that includes KRIMZ and nicodoz is the right play for this match-up.

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Vitality have big advantage over inexperienced MIBR

It's a win or go home situation for both Team Vitality and MIBR as the teams meet in a Group B lower bracket match. This is the opening round of the lower bracket, but the loser of this match-up will be heading home early.

Both teams have always been among the top teams from their respective countries. Vitality sit #5 in the world rankings and continue to have one of the most impactful players on their roster in ZywOo. As for MIBR they have taken a step back with plenty of roster changes in the past three years.

The one constant who remains is HEN1 who joined MIBR from GODSENT in August 2022. His best success came with FURIA between 2019 and 2020 when he helped the team win IEM New York 2020 North America. Other than that, MIBR have been very different from years past.

Vitality may have lost their most recent match against OG 19-17, but they gave it their all. They should have a good shot to win this head-to-head with MIBR.

FaZe Clan should edge FURIA in close match

In what might be one of the biggest matchups of Tuesday's schedule Faze Clan and FURIA face off. This match is a Group B upper bracket semifinal. FaZe and FURIA have already given themselves a good chance of reaching the playoff stage of IEM Rio 2023.

FaZe have built a powerhouse line-up with Twistzz, karrigan and ropz leading the charge. Those three will have to keep KSCERATO in check as he could easily make things happen for a FURIA team that looks a little overmatched at first glance. FaZe have won each of the last three head-to-head meetings against FURIA.

Both teams have a shot to make the playoffs, so a loss here doesn't send either team home.

Lean towards Cloud9 over OG

The other Group B upper bracket semifinal features OG and Cloud9. Team OG have been very consistent recently, winning each of their last four matches. As for Cloud9 they are coming off a confidence-building win against MIBR, as they held the Brazilian team to eight points.

These teams last met in the IEM Dallas 2023 Europe Closed Qualifier. That match ended in a win for Cloud9 as they defeated OG on Mirage 16-14 and Overpass 16-7.

OG have plenty of talented players in their line-up but they don't have an answer for ah1ro who has been among the top 10 CS:GO players so far in 2023.

bet365 News Team

• Fnatic
• Team Vitality
• FaZe Clan
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