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We continue to break down what's happening at the Shrine Expo Hall in Los Angeles. In case you're not aware, the group stage of VALORANT Champions 2023 is taking place there.
Now we are talking about Group C, where some rather interesting events are taking place. First of all, they are connected with the results of the opening matches of the group and the performance of the participant of this match.
NRG lost their opening match and are now on the verge of elimination in the group stages. An unexpected turn, given NRG's pre-tournament position, but we have what we have.
This match determines NRG's fate at Champions 2023. If they win, they keep their chance to qualify for the play-offs, if they lose, they will fail the World Championship and prepare for the Reshuffle.
Let's see if the top 4 Masters in Tokyo will be able to overcome the failure of Long Corner at the main tournament of the year, or if we are waiting for another sensation with the participation of the representative of the North American VALORANT.
Let's go.
NRG Form
Let's open the match with the analysis of NRG Esports form. Despite the failed Long Corner of the tournament, they still retain the status of favourites. At least in this match.
Bookmakers are still confident in NRG's victory. The odds for their success in this match are at around 1.2.
It is hard to argue with the state of affairs. After all, NRG has a bigger baggage of successful results than their future opponent.
NRG started their rise to the top of the world VALORANT in 2022. It was a difficult year for the American club.
During the season 2022 the team took part in a lot of local tournaments and only sometimes entered the prizes. The main achievement was Top 4 at VCT 2022: North America Stage 2 Challengers.
In 2023, the performance increased. They started the year with an appearance at Brazil's LOCK//IN Sao Paulo, where they finished in the Top 8.
Next up was a surge on the home stage. In May they reached the finals of VCT 2023: Americas League, where Ledge and more experienced LOUD.
The last event before VALORANT Champions 2023 was VCT Masters 2023 Tokyo. At the first international event of the season NRG reached the top 4, but were defeated by Paper Rex.
- NRG lineup: s0m, FNS, crashies, Victor, ardiis, ethos .
The latest addition to the team is ethos. The 24 year old American joined NRG in March this year and has played with NRG in the American league and at Masters Tokyo.
The start of VALORANT Champions 2023 was a failure for NRG. The team lost their opening game against Bilibili Gaming, losing 0-2.
NRG Mappool
The most played maps of NRG are Haven and Pearl. Both maps have been played 10 times each, but the former has 80% wins and the latter has 60.
Then there are Bind and Split, with 8 matches and 63% wins on each. Then there's Lotus (8 matches, 50% wins).
Going bad on Ascent. There's 7 matches there, but 43% wins.
ZETA Division form
We continue the match analysis with the analysis of ZETA Division form. In this match they are again playing the second number.
Bookmakers do not believe in ZETA Division's ability to continue playing at Champions 2023. The odds for them to win are at around 4.2.
Despite NRG's failure in the first match, ZETA Division is still very much behind. That's why you shouldn't get your hopes up for another high-profile result in this match.
In the previous season, ZETA had a very buoyant performance. The team won the VCT 2022: Japan Stage 1 Challengers Playoffs and then made it to the Top 3 at the VCT 2022: Stage 1 Masters - Reykjavik, which was an unexpected result.
Next up was a Top 2 at VCT 2022: Japan Stage 2 and an appearance at Champions 2022. At last year's World Championships, the ZETA Division finished in the top 12.
It seemed that after a very buoyant season, 2023 would go just as well, but that wasn't the case. ZETA got an invite to LOCK//IN Sao Paulo, but completely failed in their debut international event, finishing in the top 17-32.
Next up was a local league - VCT 2023: Pacific League - where they had no luck either. Bottom line: top 6.
- ZETA Division: Laz, crow, Dep, SugarZ3ro, TENNN, barce.
ZETA Division got to VALORANT Champions 2023 through last chance qualification. In the final of the qualifying tournament they beat Secret with a score of 3-1.
The first match at VALORANT Champions 2023 was against Fnatic. Even before the match it was clear that ZETA had few chances. ZETA lost to Fnatic by taking 11 rounds in two maps in total.
ZETA Division mappool
The most played map of ZETA Division is Ascent. The Japanese club has 11 matches there, but only 36% winrate.
Next is Fracture with 6 matches and 67% winrate. There is Lotus in the pool, on which ZETA Division has 80% win rate with 5 matches.
Among the frequently played but bad cards is Haven. 8 games and 38% wins.
History of head-to-head meetings between ZETA Division and NRG.
Previously the teams have not played each other in official matches.
NRG vs ZETA Division predicted result at VALORANT Champions 2023.
Despite NRG's adversity, I still believe in their ability. The team can play and after their first loss, it's too early to bury them. At least not in a match against ZETA Division.
The Americans will win, the only question is the number of cards. Considering how ZETA stuck together against Fnatic, I doubt they will be able to take the map from NRG, but looking at the trend of the championship, I wouldn't rule out this option.
Bottom line: NRG will win 2-0.
