VALORANT Champions Group Stage – Rankings & Predictions
Published: Jul 30, 2024 - Last Updated: Aug 1, 2024
The VALORANT Champions Group Stage kicks off this highly anticipated tournament, halving the competition ahead of the Playoffs. In this betting preview, we’re using odds and our predictions to discuss which teams are most likely to make it to the Playoffs.
VALORANT Champions Betting Sites
To learn more about how to bet on this tournament, check out our VALORANT Champions betting guide.
In addition, we recommend only using the most reliable VALORANT betting sites:
For this betting preview, we’re using live GG.Bet Esports outright Group Winner odds.
Group A – Fnatic Favourites
- Fnatic (-164/1.61)
- DRX (+250/3.50)
- KRU Esports (+500/6.00)
- Bilibili Gaming (+2500/26.0)
Without any doubt, Fnatic is favoured to come out on top in Group A. Beyond their legacy as a dominant team, the recent signing of youngster Emirhan “hiro” Kat instead of “Leo” for health reasons has injected this roster which some much-needed energy. The defending champions of EMEA are esports betting favourites.
Speaking of a resurgence, all eyes have been on DRX after failing to attend a single international tournament since VALORANT Champions 2023. After making a bold roster change to drop veterans “Zest” and “stax”, the team soared to a second-place finish at VCT Pacific Stage 2.
Contesting for this second spot is KRU Esports – an Americas roster with a strong legacy and plenty of firepower to contest the best. However, their limited strategies and mid-rounding are usually the culprits for their losses against top teams, affecting their esports odds.
Meanwhile, Bilibili Gaming is a clear underdog – though we can’t forget the miracle run at VALORANT Champions 2023 where the team finished 7-8th.
Group B – Three Grand Finalists
- Gen.G Esports (+114/2.14)
- Team Heretics (+200/3.00)
- Sentinels (+272/3.72)
- FunPlus Phoenix (+1600/17.0)
Group B will witness the elimination of at least one team this season that has dominated at one point – Gen.G, Heretics or Sentinels.
Starting with Gen.G, this stellar VALORANT team is the defending champion from VCT Masters Shanghai and recent VCT Pacific champions. Featuring deadly talents such as Kim “t3xture” Na-ra and Kim “Karon” Won-tae, they’re almost impossible to put away and are sure favourites to make it out.
Speaking of VCT Masters Shanghai, Gen.G last met Team Heretics at the Grand Final of this tournament, edging them out in a 3-2 showdown. Since then, Heretics have maintained a deadly consistency with the return of their star duelist Dominykas “MiniBoo” Lukasevicius, ready to take on anyone.
Ever since winning VCT Masters Madrid back in March, Sentinels have struggled to find their footing. Finishing 5-6th at Americas Stage 2, they clenched enough points to make it to VALORANT Champions. With a significant fan base behind this team, can Mohamed “johnqt” Ouarid lead them to another win over Gen.G?
Unluckily for FunPlus, every match is against a 2023/24 Grand Finalist, however, we won’t forget how they took maps off of Heretics and Gen.G at Shanghai.
Group C – Leviatan Looming
- Leviatan Esports (-164/1.61)
- Team Vitality (+162/2.62)
- Talon Esports (+1200/13.0)
- Trace Esports (+4000/41.0)
While Group B is an epic battleground, Group C doesn’t require that much analysis.
After steamrolling Americas thanks to the work of Grim Reaper Erick “aspas” Santos, claiming the Americas Stage 2 Championship, they are undisputed favourites in Group C.
However, Vitality has every chance to knock down Leviatan from their high horse. Considering their epic storyline at VCT EMEA Stage 2, stunning the community with a second-place finish out of nowhere, Vitality is on a steady rise.
While those two battle for first and second, Talon from Pacific and Trace from China are simply not threatening enough – either of these two moving on would be a massive upset according to VALORANT odds.
Group D – D for Death?
- G2 Esports (+175/2.75)
- Paper Rex (+200/3.00)
- FUT Esports (+275/3.75)
- EDward Gaming (+650/7.50)
Out of all the Groups, Group D features the fiercest competition for Playoffs spots.
Firstly, we have the G2 Esports – underdogs back in June, the community has come to respect this team after finishing 3rd at VCT Masters Shanghai and second at VCT Americas Stage 2, painting them as favourites in this particular Group.
Secondly, Paper Rex’s shaky performances recently make this Group so tight. Since their re-signing of “Jingg” back to the team, they finished 5-6th at VCT Masters Shanghai and only managed third in their own Pacific region for Stage 2. Paper Rex can’t afford to have an off day against FUT or EDward Gaming or it could spell disaster.
Known as the ‘Turkish aimers’, FUT Esports bring a lot more to the table than just aim. Finishing 5-6th at Masters Shanghai and 4th at EMEA Stage 2, this consistent team isn’t going to roll over for the statistical favourites.
Ranked fourth, the best team in all of China hopes to make a dent in the competition. After disappointing finishes at every international VALORANT tournament, a recent roster change could be the difference for this team. If “ZmjjKK” decides to destroy everyone, this Group is wide open.
