CS2 StarLadder Budapest Major 2025: The Ultimate Guide to Pick'Em (Stage 1) – Our 3-0 and 0-3 Predictions

The main event of the esports of the fall is already here — CS2 StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is gaining momentum. This means that the fan-favourite Pick'Em challenge has officially started in the Counter-Strike 2 game client.

For those who may have missed the previous Majors, Pick'Em is an annual gaming event. It allows fans and players to participate directly in the tournament by making predictions on the teams they think will advance to the next stages or be ruthlessly eliminated.

The awards for participation are very prestigious. Everyone starts with a basic bronze coin. As your predictions at each stage come true, your coin upgrades to silver, gold, and eventually the coveted diamond.

The Complexity and Value of a Diamond Coin

Getting a gold coin is already an achievement that puts you above the average player. However, the real hunt is always for the diamond coin. This is an incredibly rare reward; for example, during the Austin Major, less than 1% of all participants were able to unlock it.

However, this year may be an exception. The StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 bracket looks surprisingly "clean" and more predictable than usual. According to our estimates, getting the rarest coin this time may be much easier than in previous tournaments.

We have prepared our expert predictions for Pick'Ems CS2 StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 to help you on this difficult path.

Important note: All predictions made in this material are subjective and based on the personal opinion and analysis of the author.

Analysis and forecasts for Stage 1

From November 14, 2025, the first stage of Pick'Ems, known as Stage 1, is officially open in the game. Players need to pin their first 10 predictions before the start of matches. The minimum task at this stage is to get a silver coin, which requires making at least five accurate predictions.

Here are the 16 teams battling it out in Stage 1:

• Legacy
• FaZe Clan
• B8
• GamerLegion
• Fnatic
• PARIVISION
• Ninjas in Pyjamas
• Imperial Sports
• FlyQuest
• Lynn Vision Gaming
• M80
• Fluxo
• Red Canids
• The Huns Esports
• NRG
• Rare Atom

Our Pick'Em Stage 1 predictions

Based on the current form of the teams, their results in recent months and potential matchups, here are our recommendations for getting a silver coin.

Teams 3-0 (Undefeated)

• Legacy
• FaZe Clan

Rationale: Legacy is our main favourite for a clean run. The team has shown incredibly consistent and powerful play throughout the second half of 2025. As for FaZe Clan, despite a frankly "disappointing" year by their high standards, they got a very comfortable bracket in Stage 1.

Teams 0-3 (Relegated without a win)

• Fluxo
• Red Canids

Rationale: These two teams faced huge difficulties even at the stage of qualification for the Major. Their game is extremely unstable, and they objectively lack firepower and tactical training to compete at this level. This makes them the main contenders for elimination with a crushing score of 0-3.

Teams to qualify (Score 3-1 or 3-2)

• Fnatic
• GamerLegion
• B8
• Ninjas in Pyjamas
• Imperial Sports

Teams such as Ninjas in Pyjamas, B8 and GamerLegion have enough experienced and skillful rosters to advance to the next stage without any problems. However, we do not put them in 3-0, as there is a high probability that they will "face each other" in exit matches. which makes a clean winning streak unlikely.

At the moment, these are all our predictions for Stage 1. Stay tuned as we move into Stage 2 and the Playoffs!