DRX and NRG will meet in the first round of the VALORANT Champions Tour 2023: Masters Tokyo. Both teams lost their quarterfinals almost without a chance, but the South Koreans were expected to do better.
As for NRG, the team quite predictably failed to cope with Fnatic. Moreover, there was no chance at all for the North American team, which had too much faith in itself after a quick exit to the play-offs.
However, I would take into account the fact that DRX is gradually regressing. And if before the team was somehow able to pull out, now it's very difficult to do so. In general, the South Koreans can prepare tickets on the general background. So here I would lean on the NRG team to win.
DRX uniforms
The first team in the South Korean rankings looked good in the VALORANT Champions Tour 2023: Pacific League, but blatantly flopped in the play-offs and twice came up against Paper Rex.
On the other hand, DRX still managed to prove themselves in the group stage of the VALORANT Champions Tour 2023: Masters Tokyo where they lost to Evil Geniuses, but also posted wins over Attacking Soul Esports and FUT Esports.
However, the South Korean squad was once again defeated by Paper Rex in the quarterfinals. And if the boys don't fix anything in 24 hours, they can immediately prepare for elimination.
DRX's latest results:
- A 2-3 loss to Paper Rex.
- A 2-0 win over Attacking Soul Esports.
- A 0-2 loss to Evil Geniuses.
- Beat FUT Esports 2-1.
- A 0-2 defeat to Paper Rex.
Top DRX scores:
- Split - 86% wins.
- Pearl - 73% wins.
- Haven - 67% wins.
- Fracture - 60% wins.
- Ascent - 50% wins.
It's worth recalling that the South Korean squad has been steadily banning the Lotus card.
NRG form
The second team in the North American rankings had a mixed performance in the VALORANT Champions Tour 2023: Americas League, where they had problems in the regular season, but reached the grand final in the play-offs.
Moreover, NRG also made it through the group stage of the VALORANT Champions Tour 2023: Masters Tokyo, where they snatched two clear victories over Natus Vincere and T1.
However, the day before, the North American squad lost to Fnatic without a chance in the quarterfinals. Although, here is heaven and earth in terms of level, so we will have to see further developments.
NRG's latest results:
- A 3-1 win over Evil Geniuses.
- A 0-3 loss to LOUD.
- Beat Natus Vincere 2-1.
- Beat T1 2-1.
- 0-2 defeat of Fnatic.
NRG top scorers:
- Haven - 78% wins.
- Bind - 71% wins.
- Pearl - 63% wins.
- Split - 57% wins.
- Ascent - 50% wins.
In turn, the North American team does not appear on the Fracture map.
DRX - NRG encounter statistics
The teams played three meetings within the last season:
- NRG (OpTic Gaming) victory in the VALORANT Champions Tour 2022: Stage 1 Masters - Reykjavík by a score of 2-1.
- NRG (OpTic Gaming) win at the VALORANT Champions Tour 2022: Stage 1 Masters - Reykjavík 2-1.
- NRG (OpTic Gaming) won 3-2 in the VALORANT Champions 2022.
However, the North Americans scored with a different sharpshooter then.
DRX vs NRG match prediction
There is a feeling that the South Korean team is not finishing the game. Coupled with the weak Long Sogpeg on all maps DRX may finally go down. Moreover, NRG is doing quite well in terms of stats and structure against Asian teams.
So the North Americans can enjoy the advantage, at least in terms of face-offs. So in this case, I'd recommend betting on NRG to win.
