VALORANT Champions Day 1 betting predictions – Friday, September 12

VALORANT Champions 2025 kicks off this Friday with the first two fixtures of Group A, when tournament favorites Paper Rex take on XLG Esports and GIANTX clash with Sentinels.

ESB brings you free VALORANT betting previews for the first day of action in Paris, with our top picks for each matchup on September 12.

PAPER REX vs XLG ESPORTS

Best Odds: PR -833.33 at BetOnline | XLG +450 at SportsBetting
When: September 12, 2025 | 15:00 CEST
Watch Live: Twitch

VALORANT Champions 2025 commences with a monumental mismatch between title favorites Paper Rex and XLG Esports, who are +10000 underdogs on the outright markets.

Both teams travel to France after a two-week break, which could result in a rusty showing. While that should favor the underdogs, the quality gap is too significant to ignore.

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  The bookies' bookie

Paper Rex are one of the most successful teams of the season, with excellent individual talent, a deep map pool, and all the tools to race for the trophy. XLG Esports are the lowest-rated squad from VCT China, and they looked toothless at the VALORANT Esports World Cup.

This is a must-win match for Paper Rex, and there is nothing to suggest XLG Esports can pose a serious challenge.

GIANTX vs SENTINELS

Best Odds: GX +162 at SportsBetting | SEN -227.27 at BetOnline
When: September 12, 2025 | 18:00 CEST
Watch Live: Twitch

Sentinels have struggled to keep up with G2 Esports this season, settling for two silver medals and one bronze from VCT Americas events. They have left a positive mark in the three international tournaments, however, finishing among the top eight in each.

GIANTX did not feature in either VALORANT Masters event, finishing seventh-eighth in the first two VCT EMEA stages, while they were eliminated early from Esports World Cup qualifiers. However, the European squad found traction in the final VCT stage, running second after knocking out Fnatic, Natus Vincere, and BBL Esports.

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  Fast Payouts

Season-long performances suggest Sentinels are stronger. But we have to put more emphasis on recent form, which bumps GIANTX up a bit.

GIANTX have a better win rate on three maps in the rotation, including Ascend (60%), Bind (40%), and Sunset (71%), while Sentinels are stronger on Corrode (75%), Haven (100%), and Lotus (88%).

There is a world where GIANTX walk away with an upset victory, but a competitive three-map series is the more likely outcome.