Trent Reinsmith
- What: ESL Pro League CS:GO Season 17 Group D
- Where: InterContinental Hotel in Malta
- Date: March 15-19, 2023
- How to Watch: Twitch
The Group Stage of ESL Pro League Season 17 began on February 22. There are four groups of eight in the opening round of the CS:GO season. The end goal for the 32 teams in the Group Stage is to score their share of the $850,000 prize pool and a spot at both the IEM Cologne 2023 event and the Premier World Final 2023.
The Group Stage features a triple-elimination format. Four of the eight teams advance to the playoffs. Each Group winner advances to the quarterfinals. Teams who finish in the runner-up position head to the round of 12, while the third and fourth place squads go onto the round of 16. The playoff rounds are single elimination and best-of-three. The Grand Final, scheduled for March 26, 2023, is a best-of-five matchup.
Here are the teams participating in Group D: Natus Vincere, Team Liquid, Astralis, ENCE, Team Spirit, forZe, ATK and Rare Atom.
Before we look at the betting breakdown of Group D of the ESL Pro League CS:GO Season 17, check out the best esports betting sites to get started on making the best Esports bets and while you’re at it, take a look at the best sports betting apps and mobile options.
Group D of ESL CS:GO Pro League Season 17 picks
| To Win 2023 EPL Season 17 Group D |  |  |  |
| Natus Vincere | +240 | +200 | +240 |
| Team Liquid | +333 | +300 | +333 |
| Astralis | +400 | +450 | +400 |
| ENCE | +450 | +475 | +450 |
| Team Spirit | +450 | +475 | +450 |
| forZe | +1000 | +700 | +1000 |
| ATK | +7500 | +4000 | +7500 |
| Rare Atom | +20000 | +10000 | +20000 |
Natus Vincere
One of the most accomplished teams in CS:GO history, Natus Vincere has participated in every CS:GO Major, making the playoffs 14 times. The team is tied with Ninjas in Pyjamas with five appearances in Major finals.
NAVI, as the team is known, was listed as one of the favorites to win the 2023 IEM Katowice event and while they played well, they fell short of making the Grand Final, losing to Heroic 2-0 in the semifinals of the event.
Because of their past triumphs, NAVI fans always expect their team to win and NAVI will be in the running to win Group D, but they will have some competition from Team Liquid.
Team Liquid
Team Liquid is coming off a strong performance at the 2023 IEM Katowice event. In that event. Liquid made it to the semifinals before the squad lost 2-0 to the eventual tournament winners, G2 Esports. Team Liquid was a long shot at winning that event, and so they should be pleased with their performance in that tourney.
Liquid has had a full year for this team to gel and come together and the experience they picked up at IEM Katowice should be invaluable for them heading into ESL CS:GO Pro League Season 17 play.
Expect this squad to give the favorite Natus Vincere a run for their money.
Astralis
No team has won more CS:GO Majors than Astralis with four. However, this team has not won a major event since it won three straight in 2019. In the last major the team played in, the PGL Major Antwerp 2022, Astralis finished in 17th-19th place.
Astralis has added three new players since October 2022, signing dev1ce, Buzz and casle.
Team Astralis has been outside the top of the CS:GO teams for a few years, a strong performance in Group D will be an enormous step forward for Astralis.
Best bet to win Group D of ESL Pro League CS:GO Season 17
The bracket for this event has Natus Vincere and Team Liquid separated, which means they won’t play until the Upper Bracket Final if they both win their first two matchups. If NAVI and Astralis both win their first games, they will face each other in the semifinals.
While NAVI is the favorite in Group D, they are not an overwhelming favorite and while they have an excellent chance to win, my pick to walk away with the win on Group D is Team Liquid.
Pick: Team Liquid to win Group D of ESL Pro League CS:GO Season 17.
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