The Guard and G2 Esports will meet in the quarter-finals of the VALORANT Challengers 2023: North America Challenger Playoffs to play for the right to not be eliminated from the championship.
As in the previous case, it is unlikely that any team from this pair will make it to the final and end up in Ascension, as the gap between the leaders and everyone else is really substantial.
Nevertheless, G2 Esports specifically stand little chance here, as the Samurai are having an abysmal season against their rivals. Therefore, I would lean on The Guard team to win here.
The Guard's form
The fifth team in the North American rankings won the Ludwig x Tarik Invitational back in January before finishing second at the VALORANT Challengers 2023: North America Split 1.
Meanwhile, The Guard continued to show steady play, finishing third at the Mid-Season Face Off. What's more, the team took silverware in the second split as well.
As for the VALORANT Challengers 2023: North America Challenger Playoffs, the North American squad managed to outplay FaZe Clan, but were held back by Ledgeil Moist Moguls.
The Guard's latest results:
- A 1-2 defeat to Moist Moguls.
- A 2-0 win over MAD Lions.
- 2-0 win over G2 Esports.
- Beat FaZe Clan 2-0.
- 0-2 defeat by Moist Moguls.
The Guard's best scores:
- Lotus - 88% wins.
- Ascent - 88% wins.
- Bind - 75% wins.
- Split - 75% wins.
- Fracture - 75% wins.
- Pearl - 50% wins.
At the same time, the Guard team began to give up Pearl.
G2 Esports uniforms
The nineteenth team in the North American rankings fared well at the VALORANT Challengers 2023: North America Split 1, finishing in third place with only one defeat.
Furthermore, G2 Esports did well in the Mid-Season Face Off, where they reached the final. However, the Samurai broke down at Split 2, losing all five matches in disgrace.
And in the VALORANT Challengers 2023: North America Challenger Playoffs, the North American squad had trouble as they outplayed Shopify Rebellion, and then with problems.
G2 Esports latest results:
- A 1-2 defeat to the MAD Lions.
- Defeat to FaZe Clan by a score of 1-2.
- 0-2 defeat to The Guard.
- 0-2 defeat to Oxygen Esports.
- 2-1 victory over Shopify Rebellion.
G2 Esports top scorers:
- Split - 70% wins.
- Pearl - 67% wins.
- Ascent - 60% wins.
In turn, the G2 Esports team usually gives up maps Fracture.
The Guard - G2 Esports match statistics
During the current season, the teams have played two meetings:
- G2 Esports victory at VALORANT Challengers 2023: North America Split 1 - Mid-Season Face Off by a score of 2-1.
- A 2-0 victory for The Guard in VALORANT Challengers 2023: North America Split 2 - Group Stage.
Both times the teams played on the Ascent map.
The Guard vs G2 Esports
It is unlikely a miracle will happen and G2 Esports suddenly wake up. And from the last matches the team is probably preparing to finish the season early and change something there again. All in all, there's no point in even talking about a favorite. Therefore, in this case, I would recommend betting on a win for The Guard.
