Ahead of the Imperial vs The Huns matchup in the 1–2 bracket of Stage 1 at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, opinions among fans and analysts are noticeably divided. On one hand, the Brazilian lineup of Imperial is still searching for stability after a run of inconsistent results, but they remain capable of imposing a high-tempo game and winning key rounds through individual skill. On the other hand, The Huns have already shown that they can exceed expectations and challenge stronger opponents with their pace, yet they still lack extensive experience at this level. This makes the upcoming match particularly significant: a win keeps either team alive in the race for progression, while a loss puts their Major run at serious risk.
How the Bookmakers See It: Imperial as Favorites
Bookmakers consider Imperial the favorites coming into this clash. Analysts highlight the Brazilians’ strong map pool, wide LAN experience, and their ability to compete even against higher-ranked opponents. Despite recent inconsistency, Imperial possess a deeper tactical structure and superior individual quality, giving them a notable edge over the unpredictable and less experienced squad of The Huns.
Current Form of Imperial: What to Expect From Imperial
Imperial arrive with mixed momentum. Over the past three months, the Brazilian team played 59 maps and secured 36 wins — a respectable figure reflecting their competitiveness at the tier-2/3 level. However, their recent tournament results have been modest: 3–4th place at DreamHack Knockout Atlanta 2025 and 4th place at Circuit X Retake São Paulo 2025. This shows they can contend for playoff positions but still lack the consistency required to challenge top-tier teams.
- Imperial roster: VINI, noway, try, chelo, skullz
The team’s last five matches do not inspire confidence — only one victory (vs Rare Atom) and four losses against fnatic, FlyQuest, Galorys, and Sharks. This points to a downturn in form, especially against aggressive, well-structured opponents.
Current Form of The Huns: What to Expect From The Huns
The Huns, by contrast, show stronger long-term stability: 47 wins in 69 maps over three months — an impressive statistic for an Asian team steadily increasing its presence on the international stage. In the previous month, the roster competed at the CS Asia Championships 2025, finishing 13–16th. Despite that, their form at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 looks competitive.
- The Huns roster: nin9, Bart4k, cobrazera, xerolte, sk0R
In their last five matches, The Huns claimed wins against Lynn Vision and Rare Atom, but suffered losses to B8, PARIVISION, and Rare Atom. The team is inconsistent but capable of delivering strong performances against stylistically uncomfortable opponents.
Imperial’s Map Pool
Imperial usually start with a ban on Ancient, their weakest and most uncomfortable map. For their own pick, the Brazilians tend to select maps where their opponents show vulnerabilities, typically Mirage or Overpass. Mirage appears the most likely option given Imperial’s 64% win rate and The Huns’ relatively weak showings on it.
In the second ban phase, Imperial are likely to remove Overpass from The Huns’ pool, as it is one of the Asian team’s strongest maps. This would leave Inferno as the probable decider — the least desirable map for the Brazilians.
The Huns’ Map Pool
The Huns almost always begin by banning Train, a map they avoid on all major tournaments. When it comes to their own pick, they typically choose between Inferno and Nuke. Both maps produce consistent results, but Nuke is particularly appealing in this matchup, given Imperial’s shaky performances on it. Thus, Nuke seems the most logical choice.
In the second ban phase, The Huns will likely remove Dust2, a strong and comfortable map for Imperial with a positive win rate and a solid streak of victories. As a result, Inferno remains the most likely decider, where The Huns tend to look more confident in crucial moments.
Head-to-Head History
Imperial and The Huns have not faced each other in the past six months. The lack of recent meetings adds a layer of unpredictability — both teams lack up-to-date, direct information about their opponent’s style, which may influence tactical adaptation during the series.
Match Prediction: Imperial vs The Huns – StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 1
The upcoming match promises to be competitive, but the overall factors favor Imperial. Their strong map pool, especially the comfort picks of Mirage and Overpass, allows them to control the game’s tempo and dictate a structure that is difficult for The Huns to counter. Even with recent setbacks, Imperial maintain a clear tactical identity and possess significant LAN experience, which provides a mental advantage.
The Huns’ potential pick is less stable, as their strongest maps collide stylistically with Imperial’s comfort zones. On Nuke, the Brazilians can apply aggressive defensive setups, while on Inferno they often adapt well during mid-round scenarios. If the match reaches a decider, Imperial’s superior individual skill and greater resilience under pressure are likely to become decisive.
In the end, the series should be closely contested, but based on the map pool and overall potential, Imperial hold the edge.
Prediction: Imperial to win 2–1.
