by ESB’s free esports betting picks for Friday, July 15, include on a pair of Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) 2022 Stage 2 Masters Copenhagen playoff bouts. Here are our selections for Fnatic vs FunPlus Phoenix vs Paper Rex vs Guild Esports, with top Valorant odds courtesy of BetOnline.
FNATIC vs FUNPLUS PHOENIX VALORANT BETTING & MATCH DETAILS |
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|---|---|
| Best Odds: | Fnatic -227.27 at BetOnline | FPX +162 at BetOnline |
| When: | July 15, 2022 | 17:00 CEST |
| Watch Live: | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/VALORANT) |
FunPlus Phoenix placed qualified for the VCT Masters Copenhagen playoffs with a 2-0 sweep against Northeption on Wednesday, ending the group stage with a 2-1 record and a +0 map difference (87-87). It was a solid outcome knowing that FPX travelled to Denmark without their core lineup, but it seems unlikely that FPX will advance further.
Fnatic have received a direct invite to the playoffs for winning VCT EMEA Stage 2 Challengers champions, where they crushed FunPlus Phoenix (3-0) in the finals and twice before – 2-1 in semi-finals and 2-1 during the group stage.
FPX were playing with their main lineup at the time, so if they failed to defeat Fnatic at full strength, it is hard to believe they can do it now. The only thing going in FPX’s favour is that they are warmed up, unlike Fnatic, who played their last match at the end of June.
Regardless, Fnatic are one of the best Valorant esports teams in the world, and if Emir Ali “Alfajer” Beder can step up, the Black & Orange should be serious candidates to hoist the trophy.
Fnatic -1.5 maps
PAPER REX vs GUILD ESPORTS VALORANT BETTING & MATCH DETAILS |
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|---|---|
| Best Odds: | PR +110 at BetOnline | Guild -151.52 at BetOnline |
| When: | July 15, 2022 | 20:00 CEST |
| Watch Live: | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/VALORANT) |
Guild Esports topped Group A with a 2-0 record and a solid +11 map difference. They smashed OpTic Gaming (2-0) but had some issues making it past KRÜ Esports (12-14, 13-6, 16-14). Guild Esports could have played better, but they did just enough to reach the playoffs.
Paper Rex have taken the medal from DRX as “the Asian team” that can do some damage. They have been playing phenomenally well throughout the year, winning every tournament they’ve attended except for Masters Reykjavik, where Paper Rex placed fourth.
They have a unique playstyle, and their success looks pretty matchup-reliant. In Iceland, they lost only to DRX and ZETA Division but won against The Guard and G2 Esports. That doesn’t mean that Paper Rex should beat any western team, but it shows that they can be competitive.
The offered VALORANT odds on this match don’t make much sense since we wouldn’t say that Guild Esports are stronger than Paper Rex. At best, this is a 50/50 matchup, so we have to side with the Singaporean powerhouse at plus money.
