VCT 2026 EMEA Kickoff Week 1 betting tips – Tuesday, January 20

The VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) season for the EMEA region kicks off on Tuesday, January 20, with the opening day of VCT 2026 EMEA Kickoff. The opening day of play will feature two exciting affairs, as Natus Vincere face off against Karmine Corp, followed by a clash between FUT Esports and Gentle Mates, who will hope to start the season with a win.

Esportsbet brings you free VALORANT betting previews for the two fixtures, along with expert picks and odds from the top-rated esports bookmakers.

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  Fast Payouts

NATUS VINCERE vs KARMINE CORP

Karmine Corp have replaced three players for the 2026 season, bringing in Dastan “dos9” Zhumagali, Burak “LêwN” Alkan, and Bogdan “Sheydos” Naumov. Natus Vincere have also made some adjustments, and enter VCT EMEA Kickoff with Volkan “sociablEE” Yönal and Dawid “Filu” Czarnecki.

Filu is a player with a huge question mark above his head, as he has no experience competing at the highest level. Karmine Corp, on the other hand, have added three players coming off an excellent 2025 season, and their added firepower is a key reason why the top VALORANT betting sites have them priced as favorites.

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  The bookies' bookie

A big question with KC is whether they’ll manage to be more stable than last season, when they were all over the place. However, with Dmitrii “SUYGETSU” Iliushin now leading a fresh roster, things are likely going to improve.

This promises to be a very competitive series, featuring two of the league’s most improved rosters. Even though Karmine Corp looked better in December, a closer, three-map game is the most likely outcome.

FUT ESPORTS vs GENTLE MATES

Gentle Mates are priced as favorites to start VCT EMEA Kickoff with a win, as they take on FUT Esports.

FUT Esports have added two new players in the offseason, including Okan “KROSTALY” Alaçam and Baha “baha” Gözmen. Ata “ATA KAPTAN” Tan has also returned from a three-month break.

Gentle Mates have replaced their entire roster, keeping just Patrik “Minny” Hušek as the only carryover from 2025. This has led to some underwhelming results in December’s Project Blender event, where M8 placed ninth to 16th.

Like Gentle Mates, FUT haven’t had the best showing in Project Blender; however, they reached the top eight and showed slightly more, though most of their better wins came against weaker opponents.

This looks like a 50/50 match at best. At plus money, we’ll gladly take FUT Esports.