ESL Professional League Group D begins in a number of days, bringing the group stage to an in depth. There are some attention-grabbing matchups and storylines right here, with most of the higher groups on this group underperforming these days.
These are among the speaking factors to look out for going into Group D.
![ESL Pro League Group D](https://www.esports.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ESL-Pro-League-Group-D.jpg)
Credit score: Adela Sznajder/ © ESL
s1mple To Step Up?
The final time NAVI performed was a crushing defeat at IEM Katowice 2023. Afterward, s1mple gave a frank evaluation of their efficiency, claiming that “on stage some gamers are nonetheless shitting their pants”. For NAVI to show round their fortunes, they want their star man to go away this angle in Katowice.
NAVI are in transition, counting on 17-year-old npl to face up and be counted amid underperformance from his staff. Amongst all of it, the usually-reliable s1mple hasn’t regarded himself, and possibly harbors extra blame than he’d ever publicly admit. However you don’t cease being the very best CS:GO participant of all time in a single day, and he should present why he’s gained that standing. With a resurgent ZywOo hitting type for Vitality, s1mple ought to see it as a problem to his throne, and make an announcement in ESL Professional League Group D.
We predict they’ll qualify, but when s1mple can’t step up, they gained’t go a lot additional.
Astralis’ Second?
It’s like Groundhog Day with Astralis. “Possibly this time it’ll click on for them.” It normally doesn’t. No less than, to not the diploma they need it to. A powerful efficiency within the current BLAST Paris Main Europe RMR qualifier presents some hope. To their credit score, they do normally defeat groups they need to be beating on paper.
Issues have been steadily bettering for Astralis, regardless of some hiccups. The return of dev1ce has helped, with the long-lasting AWPer wanting each bit as sharp as he was years in the past. Younger gun Buzz has put in some strong-if-inconsistent performances, and he is usually a large asset if he works on that consistency. The primary weaknesses are gla1ve and Xyp9x, and their performances will outline how far they will go in ESL Professional League Season 17.
Totally fixing the obvious points with this Astralis roster requires the bravery to maneuver on from Xyp9x, however that’s a battle whereas they proceed integrating Buzz. Snatching one of many playoff spots right here can be an excellent step ahead within the Astralis comeback. They’ve simply received to hope they keep away from Liquid and NAVI alongside the way in which.
Liquid’s Stepping Stone in ESL Professional League Group D
Liquid are one other staff with a lot to show. They’ve been considerably of a CS:GO meme these days with their tendency to throw away large leads out of nowhere.
IEM Katowice 2023 provided hope to Liquid followers, with a sequence of excellent performances that noticed them defeat Vitality and FaZe, solely falling to eventual winners G2. Taking a look at current performances, as people Liquid are in sturdy type. Even oSee, who has confronted a lot criticism, lastly got here into his personal in Katowice. In the meantime, YEKINDAR noticed a return to type, and NAF remained constant. It wasn’t good, however there have been undoubtedly encouraging indicators. Group D might simply be one other stepping stone on their journey, however Liquid have an excellent probability to ship extra desires for the long run right here.
Liquid could make an enormous assertion right here by beating NAVI to the quarter-finals spot, profitable Group D.
Our qualifying predictions: NAVI, Liquid, ENCE, and Astralis.