The Guard and 9z will meet in the final round of the VALORANT Challengers Ascension 2023: Americas group stage. In this case, the North Americans are fighting for the top spot, while nothing is expected from 9z a priori.
Given the controversial Long Corner at this tournament, the Latin American squad can hardly boast of any chances. And the odds are fairly unequivocally in favour of The Guard, who are the clear favourites here.
In general, I do not see the point in the game 9z, and the chances of the team tend to zero. Therefore here I would rely on a smashing victory for The Guard, who did very well the day before.
The Guard's form
The fifth team in the North American rankings finished second in VALORANT Challengers 2023: North America Split 1 and then finished third in the Mid-Season Face Off.
What's more, The Guard bolstered her consistency with silver medals at the VALORANT Challengers 2023: North America Split 2 and the VALORANT Challengers 2023: North America Challenger Playoffs, where she was on top.
Here comes the Long Conger of the VALORANT Challengers Ascension 2023: Americas group stage where the North American squad swept through 00NATION, thereby creating a bid for first place in the group.
The Guard's latest results:
- A 2-0 win over G2 Esports.
- A 2-0 win over Oxygen Esports.
- 3-0 win over Moist Moguls.
- 1-3 loss to M80 Esports.
- 2-0 win over 00NATION.
The Guard's best scores:
- Ascent - 88% wins.
- Bind - 83% wins.
- Fracture - 80% wins.
- Lotus - 80% wins.
- Pearl - 67% wins.
- Split - 50% wins.
- Haven - 50% wins.
It's worth remembering that the North American squad is most often denied by Pearl.
Form 9z
The second Latin American team won both regional splits of VALORANT Challengers 2023: Latin America South without feeling their rivals.
What's more, the Latin American squad beat FUSION in the VALORANT Challengers 2023: Latin America qualifier, earning a slightly better seeding in Ascension.
However, something didn't go well for 9z in the Long Conger of the group stage of VALORANT Challengers Ascension 2023: Americas as the team suffered a resounding defeat at the hands of 00NATION.
Latest 9z results:
- A 1-2 loss to All Knights.
- A 3-1 win over Furious Gaming.
- Victory over All Knights, 3-0.
- 3-0 win over FUSION.
- A 0-2 defeat at the hands of 00NATION.
Top 9z:
- Ascent - 100% wins.
- Lotus - 100% wins.
- Fracture - 86% wins.
- Pearl - 78% wins.
- Haven - 75% wins.
- Bind - 75% wins.
- Split - 56% wins.
In turn, the Hispanic team does not usually play on the Lotus card.
The Guard - 9z match statistics
The teams have not met before.
Forecast for the match The Guard - 9z
I see no point in additional comments, as the Latin American team looks like the clear outsider of the group, and the championship itself, if we forget about FUSION.
On the other hand, the North Americans can be reckoned among the favourites, and in a match like this they will have to show their mettle. Therefore, in this case I would recommend betting on a 2-0 win for The Guard.
