Undoubtedly, the most eyecatching match of the Berlin Major quarterfinals is Astralis vs Team Liquid.
Astralis are looking to win back-to-back Majors but in recent months have slipped from their dominant position as the best team in CS:GO to be replaced by Team Liquid as world number one.
Astralis vs Liquid at the Berlin Major takes place on Friday at 5.30pm BST /6.30pm CEST - live stream and bets. The winners face the victors of NRG vs Na'Vi, who meet earlier on Friday.
Astralis vs Team Liquid head-to-head
Astralis and Liquid have faced each other five times this year and Liquid have a 3-2 advantage thanks to their victories in IBUYPOWER Masters (2-1), Blast Pro Series Miami (16-14) and at the ESL Pro League Season 9: Finals (2-1). Astralis did win before that twice against Liquid in the Blast Pro Series: São Paulo (2-1 and 16-13).
Astralis' Berlin Major so far
Astralis entered the Berlin Major at the New Legend stage and had to qualify in four games to the playoffs stage because of their defeat against sensational NRG. Their victories against Dreameaters, G2 Esports and Cr4zy (2-1) allow them to play Berlin Major quarters.
Astralis has clearly lost the ultra dominant position they used to have and are not the unbreakable squad they used to be on this Major. They are yet to show a performance against a tier-1 team. Can they turn around against another big team who has shown weakness recently?
Team Liquid's Berlin Major so far
Liquid entered the Berlin Major at the New Legends stage and were one match away from elimination after two defeats in a row against NRG Esports and AVANGAR. They managed to finish sixth and qualify to playoffs after two clean wins against North and mousesports. They still had to play five games to qualify.
Going into the match
This match could have been the Grand Final of any event not so long ago but both teams have a common point of not having shown 100% of their potential in this Major and most recently either.
Astralis had to go twice to quintuple overtime to be here and Team Liquid, the best team in the world, has not played up to their usual standard so far. While bookies give Team Liquid a slight advantage, the outcome and scenario of this game is too close to call.
Pictures: StarLadder
