The match between MIBR and Imperial at StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 2 promises to be an intense clash between two Brazilian teams, where the stakes are incredibly high and the best-of-one format makes every mistake critical. Despite MIBR’s recent decline and Imperial’s stability, both teams have their chances — but the final result will largely depend on the map pool and current form.
How the bookmakers see it: Imperial are the favorites
Bookmakers consider Imperial the clear favorites in this matchup, basing their prediction on the team’s more stable form, deeper map pool, and confident results at recent tournaments. Imperial demonstrate structured, high-quality Counter-Strike and possess stronger individual performances compared to MIBR, who are currently in a prolonged slump. Analysts note that in a best-of-one format, Imperial have more consistency and significantly fewer risks of collapsing on the final map — which is why they hold the favorite status.
MIBR Current Form: What to Expect From MIBR
Over the past three months, MIBR have played 55 maps and won 35 of them — a sign of generally competitive play and solid stability across longer series. The team continues to show strong performances on their key maps and can be dangerous in matches where controlling the pace is essential. However, their performance at PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 was disappointing, finishing 15–16th and falling short of expectations.
- MIBR roster: exit, brnz4n, insani, kl1m, Qikert
Their recent results are concerning: MIBR have lost all of their last five matches — against fnatic, Astralis, BetBoom, Virtus.pro, and Liquid. This losing streak highlights their loss of form and confidence. Such a run also adds psychological pressure, and in a best-of-one, even the smallest mistakes can be decisive.
Imperial Current Form: What to Expect From Imperial
Imperial are showing stable and convincing form. In the past three months, they’ve played 63 maps and won 40 — a very strong indicator across long distance competition. The team performed well at recent events, finishing 3–4th at DreamHack Knockout Atlanta 2025, 4th at Circuit X Retake São Paulo 2025, and reaching the top 8 at StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 1. These results reflect the team’s growth and high level of preparation.
- Imperial roster: VINI, noway, try, chelo, skullz
In their last five matches, Imperial secured wins over NRG, The Huns, and Rare Atom, while losing to fnatic and FlyQuest. Despite these defeats, Imperial overall look much stronger than most regional opponents and show good individual form. They enter Stage 2 confident and fully capable of challenging any team in a best-of-one match.
MIBR Map Pool
MIBR will likely start the veto phase with their most frequent ban. Dust2 is expected to be removed first, as the team consistently avoids this map. After that, MIBR will attempt to steer the map pool toward their strongest options: Inferno (77% win rate), Ancient (70%), and Train (75%).
Since Imperial usually ban Ancient first, MIBR may immediately lose one of their strongest maps, which makes it logical to focus on preserving Inferno — their most stable and stylistically fitting pick.
MIBR will aim to ensure that Inferno remains as the final map. It is their best map statistically and strategically, and one of their strongest options against Imperial. After banning Dust2, they will try to avoid losing key maps and guide the veto toward Inferno, where they feel most comfortable in terms of tempo, structure, and individual confidence.
Imperial Map Pool
Imperial’s response to the first MIBR ban will likely be the removal of Ancient — their almost guaranteed first ban in most vetoes. After that, Imperial will attempt to push the pool toward their strongest maps: Overpass (75% win rate), Mirage (67%), and Nuke (62%).
Since MIBR frequently ban Dust2, Imperial will not have access to that map; therefore, their strategy will revolve around Overpass. This is their strongest and most comfortable map, where they can dominate through structure, experience, and pace control.
Imperial’s aim will be to force the map veto toward Overpass. After banning Ancient, they’ll direct the pool so that MIBR’s best maps are avoided and the final choice becomes Overpass — their most stable and statistically advantageous map, where they can dictate the pace from the first rounds. This gives them a huge edge in a best-of-one setting.
Head-to-head History
In the past six months, MIBR and Imperial have faced each other once — at FERJEE Rush 2025, where MIBR won 3–2. They traded map wins, but the key maps (Train, Overpass, and Nuke) went to MIBR. Still, the match was extremely close and tense, highlighting how evenly matched the teams can be.
Prediction for MIBR vs Imperial – StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 2
This match looks extremely even on paper, but the teams’ current form tells a very different story. MIBR come into the match on a five-loss streak and in noticeably weak condition, while Imperial show stability, strong results, and a superior map pool. If the decider ends up being Overpass, Imperial will have a nearly unquestionable advantage. If Inferno remains, the teams become more evenly matched — but the psychological momentum still leans heavily toward Imperial.
Prediction: Imperial win.
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