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Esports 15/01/2026 at 16:00

Ninjas in Pyjamas vs Liquid

Selection
Maps - Total : over 2.5
Odds
1.93€
Bookmaker
optibet
Read bookmaker review →

Match Preview: NIP – Liquid

Betting Recommendation: Over 2.5 maps

1. NIP’s New Roster and the "Honeymoon Phase"

NIP has recently bolstered its lineup with the Ukrainian player cairne, who replaced ewjerkz in January.

  • Surprise Factor: A new player often brings fresh energy and unpredictability to a team's tactics, making NIP a dangerous underdog against Liquid.

  • Current Form: NIP has performed strongly in smaller tournaments recently (including a 5-match winning streak), which has boosted their confidence ahead of this tougher test.

2. Liquid’s Inconsistency

On paper, Liquid is the favorite (#15 vs #23), but the team is notorious for its "rollercoaster" performances.

  • Liquid has a tendency to lose their own map picks or let opponents back into the game even when holding a significant lead.

  • Recent statistics show losses to teams like Passion UA and The MongolZ, indicating that their game is not yet fully synchronized in early January.

3. Map Pool Favors a Decider

The strengths of both teams overlap in a way that suggests each side will likely win their own map pick:

  • NIP’s Strengths: NIP has been exceptionally strong on Nuke (71% win rate) and Ancient. If they secure either of these, they have an excellent chance of taking a map.

  • Liquid’s Strengths: Liquid is traditionally strong on Mirage and Inferno, maps where NIP is statistically more vulnerable.

  • Since both teams have clear "comfort zones" that the opponent struggles to match, a 1–1 situation after two maps is a very logical scenario.

4. Tournament Nature (BLAST Bounty)

This match follows the "Bounty" format, which adds extra stakes. NIP, as the underdog, specifically chose Liquid as their opponent, which speaks to their belief in being able to challenge this particular team. Historically, encounters between NIP and Liquid (17 head-to-head matches) have often been tightly contested battles.

Summary

While Liquid is the favorite to win the series, NIP’s fresh roster and Liquid’s early-January "rustiness" make a 2–0 result unlikely. Odds for Over 2.5 maps (usually between 1.90–2.00) offer the best value for money in this market.

**-Petteri

Esports Analyst**