At IEM Dallas 2025, an exciting group stage matchup awaits as FURIA takes on The MongolZ. Both teams are aiming for a deep tournament run, but this head-to-head could play a decisive role in shaping their path. FURIA recently refreshed their roster and already impressed at PGL Astana, while The MongolZ continue to shine with consistent performances on the international stage. In this preview, we’ll analyze each team’s form, expected map pool, head-to-head history, and deliver a data-based prediction for the match outcome.
Current Form
FURIA comes into IEM Dallas 2025 after recent roster changes that have begun to show promise. Over the past three months, the Brazilian team has played 57 maps, winning 26 of them. Their standout performance came at the PGL Major in Astana, where they surprisingly finished in 4th place, defeating several strong teams along the way. In their last five matches, FURIA secured wins against ODDIK and MIBR (twice), while losing to Aurora and Team Spirit. This suggests a stable, though not yet elite, level of play.
The MongolZ continue to show impressive consistency and progress. In the past three months, they’ve played 59 maps and won 32. Over the last month, they competed at IEM Melbourne (finishing 3rd–4th) and PGL Astana (5th–8th place). In their last four matches, they claimed victories over NAVI, MIBR, and FURIA, with their only loss coming against Aurora. The Mongolian squad has proven they can challenge top-tier teams and remain confident even on big stages.
Map Pool
For this best-of-three series, the likely veto and pick sequence looks as follows:
- FURIA will likely ban Ancient, as it’s their most commonly removed map.
- The MongolZ are expected to ban Train, which they consistently avoid (and which FURIA plays well on).
- FURIA will probably pick Anubis, a map they’ve played 13 times with a solid 54% win rate.
- The MongolZ are expected to go for Inferno, their strongest map with a 70% win rate.
- FURIA may ban Mirage, considering The MongolZ’s strength on it.
- The MongolZ could respond by banning Dust2, removing one of FURIA’s preferred picks.
That would leave Nuke as the decider — a relatively neutral map where FURIA has a 43% win rate and The MongolZ have shown decent results, including a recent win over FURIA on it.
Predicted map veto:
- Bans: Ancient / Train
- Picks: Anubis (FURIA), Inferno (The MongolZ)
- Second bans: Mirage / Dust2
- Decider: Nuke
Head-to-Head
In the past six months, FURIA and The MongolZ have faced each other twice — and The MongolZ won both times.
At PGL Bucharest 2025, The MongolZ secured a clean 2-0 victory, winning Mirage 13:9 and Nuke 13:11. Then, at PGL Astana, the Mongolian squad defeated FURIA again, this time 2-1: after a dominant Mirage win (13:4), they dropped Anubis (7:13), but closed out the series on Inferno (13:9).
These results highlight The MongolZ’s tactical edge and ability to adapt to FURIA’s playstyle.
Match Prediction
Despite FURIA’s recent improvements, The MongolZ appear to be the favorites heading into this match. They’re in better overall form, have stronger win rates on key maps, and have already beaten FURIA twice in recent months. Their preparation, adaptability, and wider tactical depth give them a clear advantage.
While FURIA has a good chance to take a map — most likely Anubis — The MongolZ are expected to come out on top in the series.
Prediction: The MongolZ to win 2–1.
