The Guard and XSET will meet in the group stage of VCT 2022: North America Challengers 1. One of the most interesting meetings of this round, since the second and third teams of group A will face each other. However, despite the odds, XSET does not seem to be such a clear favorite.
The Guard Uniform
The eleventh team in the North American ranking gathered only at the end of last year. However, back in January, the team qualified for VCT 2022: North America Challengers 1, showing a good game. Now The Guard won two meetings, demonstrating full self-confidence. Therefore, I believe that the team is able to continue their sensational ascent and cause trouble for XSET.
Latest The Guard results:
- Victory over Team Assent with a score of 13:5.
- Victory over XSET with a score of 2:0.
- Defeated by the Knights with a score of 0:2.
- Victory over Luminosity Gaming with a score of 2:0.
- Victory over 100 Thieves with a score of 2:1.
Best The Guard maps:
- Fracture - 100% win rate.
- Haven - 85% win rate
- Icebox - 83% of wins.
- Ascent - 73% of wins.
- Bind - 67% of wins.
- Split - 50% of wins.
At the same time, the team does not play on the Breeze map.
Xset form
The third team in the North American rankings got off to a very successful start to the new season, winning not only the qualifiers for VCT 2022: North America Challengers 1, but also the NSG: Winter Championship. However, in the group stage of Challengers 1, the team has already managed to run into Cloud9, losing to the favorite as expected. One way or another, XSET is still one of the best teams in the region, although The Guard has already managed to surprise.
Latest XSET results:
- Victory over NRG with a score of 2:0.
- 2:1 victory over Reformed.
- Victory over the Knights with a score of 2:0.
- Victory over Evil Geniuses with a score of 2:0.
- Defeated by Cloud9 with a score of 1:2.
Best XSET cards:
- Fracture - 100% win rate.
- Breeze - 73% of wins.
- Bind - 67% of wins.
- Split - 61% of wins.
- Haven - 60% win rate
- Icebox - 59% of wins.
- Ascent - 56% of wins.
Moreover, in recent matches, the team refused the Ascent card.
Statistics of meetings The Guard — XSET
Within the framework of the current season, the teams held two meetings:
- XSET victory at VCT 2022: NA Stage 1 Challengers - Open Qualifier 1 with a score of 2:0.
- The Guard won the Nerd Street Gamers: Winter Championship with a score of 2:0.
I note that the teams invariably played on Split.
Prediction for the match The Guard — XSET
Personally, I'm not sure that XSET will be able to safely leave the server. One way or another, The Guard is now in good shape, being among the leaders of the standings. Therefore, given the confidence of JonahP and the company at a distance, I suggest betting on Handicap (+1.5) for The Guard.
