Forecast The Guard - Cloud9
We continue to review the Valorant Champions Tour 2022 Last Chance. Today, let's move to North America, where Cloud9 and The Guard will clash in the upper bracket semi-finals. Previously, the teams held two meetings between themselves, as a result of which both earned one victory each. Now they have to determine the strongest in the bo3 format.
The Guard Uniform
In the last review, I spoke in detail about the team, so today we will just refresh our memory. The team performed poorly at the past VCT 2022 Challengers Stage 1 and 2 qualifiers, finishing 7-8 and 11-12. This result did not allow the players to go to tournaments in Reykjavik and Copenhagen. The current qualifications are the last chance for the team to get to the World Cup.
Yesterday the team met with the Sentinels, and the match was very interesting. The “Defenders” were outsiders, but thanks to additional rounds, they managed to win and go to the semi-finals. Ascent (13-10), Breeze (13-15), Icebox (15-13).
The Guard Map Statistics
- Bind 69% in 16 matches
- Haven 66% in 29 matches
- Ascent 65% for 23 matches
- Icebox 79% for 25 matches
On their maps, the team plays well for both sides: Bind equal values of 54% of wins in attack and 54% in defense, Haven 58% of wins for attack and 51% for defense, Ascent 65% of wins for the defense side against 43% for the attack side, Icebox wins 59% defensively and 58% offensively.
Most played heroes in the last 60 days: neT - Fade (128), Viper (156), valyn - Astra (200), Omen (142), JonahP - Chamber (174), KAY/O (153), Sayaplayer - Neon (148), Chamber (147), trent-Sova (189), Skye (149).
Form Cloud9
The situation of the team is similar to future opponents. The team performed well at the past VCT 2022 NA Challengers Stage 1 qualifiers, taking 3rd place, unfortunately, only the first two secured the passage to the Masters. At the second stage of the qualifiers, the team took 9th-10th place, which deprived them of their chances to go to the tournament in Copenhagen and earn points.
The team played the first match against Shopify Rebellion, and despite the fact that I expected the second one to win, C9 did not easily close the rivals on two maps: Ascent (13-10), Fracture (17-15).
Cloud9 map statistics
- Haven 69% in 80 matches
- Split 63% in 59 matches
- Ascent 72% in 95 matches
- Icebox 71% in 41 matches
On their maps, the team plays better on the defensive side: Split 64% of wins in defense and 45% in attack, Ascent 60% of wins for defense vs. wins against 54% for defense.
Most played heroes in the last 60 days: mitch - Chamber (404), Sage (79), leaf - Neon (255), Chamber (53), Xeppaa - KAY/O (236), Skye (123), vanity - Astra (182), Omen (183), curry-KAY/O (116), Fade (144).
Match prediction
Cloud9 are clearly ahead of their rivals in terms of training and experience, the oldest organization with many coaches and analysts, The Guard look like amateurs against their background. In the last match I underestimated C9, but today my vote is for them.
Outcome: Cloud9 victory
