VCT 2026 Americas Stage 1 Week 5 betting predictions – Friday, May 8

The final week of VALORANT Champions Tour Americas Stage 1 regular season kicks off on Friday, May 8, when KRU Esports face off against Evil Geniuses, followed by a clash between FURIA and 100 Thieves.

Here you can find VALORANT betting previews and free expert picks, along with odds courtesy of the best esports bookmakers for VALORANT punters.

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  Fast Payouts

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KRU ESPORTS vs EVIL GENIUSES

Best Odds	KRU -714.29 at BetOnline | EG +400 at SportsBetting
When	May 8, 2026 | 14:00 PDT
Watch Live	Twitch

KRU Esports enter the final week of VCT Americas Stage 1 regular season following a painful defeat to 100 Thieves, which put their No.1 seed in Group Omega under some pressure. In reality, though, KRU should not be too worried about their next assignment.

Standing on the other side of the arena are Evil Geniuses, who have been the clear weakest team in VCT Americas. EG are 0-4 through four weeks of play and have shown very little to suggest a late turnaround is coming.

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  The bookies' bookie

With no wins to their name, Evil Geniuses are already guaranteed to miss the playoffs. With roster changes likely on the horizon, it is hard to imagine them suddenly finding the kind of level needed to trouble one of the strongest teams in the group.

KRU are priced as heavy favourites on the top-rated bookmakers, and that is fair. They have been one of the best teams in the region this stage, and after last week’s stumble, they should be looking for a clean response.

Anything less than a 2-0 win would be disappointing for KRU Esports.

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FURIA vs 100 THIEVES

Best Odds	FURIA -175.44 at BetOnline | 100T +125 at SportsBetting
When	May 8, 2026 | 17:00 PDT
Watch Live	Twitch

FURIA and 100 Thieves should produce one of the more interesting matches of the day when they meet for the first time this season.

FURIA have had the better stage overall, winning three of their first four games. 100 Thieves have managed just two wins, but their upset victory over KRU Esports last week changed the conversation around this roster and showed they are capable of much more than they produced earlier in the split.

FURIA have not been perfect either. Their 2-1 wins over Evil Geniuses and Sentinels both had shaky moments, although they never really looked in serious danger of losing either series.

That makes this a tricky match to price. 100 Thieves still have more to prove, so the underdog number is not quite tempting enough to back them outright. At the same time, FURIA have not looked dominant enough to justify full confidence at a short price.

This has all the makings of a tight series, with both teams having enough quality to take a map. Over 2.5 maps is the best betting angle.