Welcome to all Valorant fans and viewers! From September 12 to October 5, 2025, the biggest tournament of the year — VALORANT Champions 2025 — will take place. Sixteen teams will clash for the title of “Global Valorant Champions” and a massive prize pool. On the third day of the competition, we will talk about the upcoming Group C match between EDward Gaming and NRG, which promises to be a thrilling one: a top-15 team will face off against the top-1 ranked squad. There is no clear favorite here, as both the Chinese and American sides have what it takes to secure the win. While the teams prepare, let’s dive into potential map picks and team form, and share some betting insights.
How bookmakers see it: Favorite — NRG
Most bookmakers consider NRG the favorite in their match against EDward Gaming at VALORANT Champions 2025. The American team has odds of 1.57, while the Chinese side is given 2.20. NRG finished second at VCT 2025: Americas Stage 2 and consistently take podium spots in their regional tournaments. However, EDG won first place at VALORANT Champions 2024, proving they are more than capable of challenging the favorites.
NRG form: What result can be expected from NRG?
The North American team NRG had a mixed season in VCT, combining bright victories with periods of instability. Throughout the year, the squad showed different results: at times defeating strong opponents and showcasing solid strategies, but also suffering setbacks on key maps and struggling in the early rounds of matches.
The roster includes both experienced and young talent. Sam “s0m” Oh remains one of the team’s main core players, delivering consistent fragging and reliable play across most maps. Ethan “Ethan” Arnold, serving as the captain and in-game leader, largely dictates the team’s overall strategy. He is supported by Adam “mada” Pampuch and Brock “brawk” Somerhalder, who bring aggression and map control. The lineup is rounded out by Logan “skuba” Jenkins, providing tactical depth.
NRG roster: Ethan, s0m, mada, brawk, skuba.
The season can best be described as uneven: NRG weren’t always able to consistently stay at the top of standings. The team often struggled at the start of matches, with slow openings and lost first halves remaining a weak spot. However, by the end of the season, the situation had significantly improved. In recent matches, NRG have looked much more confident, stringing together wins and showing a more mature approach to strategy.
Notably, their results at major tournaments stand out. In July, NRG finished 5–8th at the Esports World Cup 2025, falling short of the semifinals but proving they can reach the upper half of the table. Later, at VCT 2025: Americas Stage 2, they recorded one of their best runs of the year, reaching the grand final and finishing 2nd. This marked a major step forward compared to the start of the season.
At present, NRG are clearly “on the rise.” The squad regularly beats mid-tier opponents and is capable of challenging regional leaders. There are still questions about consistency — especially in matches where the opponent quickly takes initiative — but overall, the trend suggests that NRG have grown stronger toward the end of the season and are primed for strong results in playoffs and international events.
EDG form: What result can be expected from EDward Gaming?
EDward Gaming remain the leading representatives of the Chinese Valorant scene, having made headlines after winning VALORANT Champions 2024, where they claimed their first-ever global title. That success elevated Chinese Valorant and cemented EDG as a symbol of the region.
The roster is built around their star player Zheng “ZmjjKK” Yongkang, better known as KangKang. His aggressive playstyle on Jett and Chamber has often been the deciding factor in EDG’s victories. Alongside him plays Wang “nobody” Senxu, a versatile support who adapts to any composition and provides the team with stability. Wan “CHICHOO” Shunzhi plays a key role as controller, maintaining tempo and dictating the macro game. Zhang “Smoggy” Zhao brings flexibility and aggression, often taking on initiator roles or acting as a secondary carry to create map pressure. The latest addition, Zhang “Jieni7” Juntai, replaced Haodong and brought new drafting options while refreshing the team’s style. Together, this lineup combines individual firepower with strict discipline, making EDG one of the most dangerous squads internationally.
EDG roster: CHICHOO, nobody, ZmjjKK, Smoggy, Jieni7.
During the 2025 season, EDG reaffirmed their status as China’s top team. In VCT China Stage 1 and Stage 2, they consistently reached the playoffs, showing discipline and tactical flexibility. On the international stage, they started strong by winning the Chinese qualifier and went on to take 3rd place at Masters Bangkok, falling only in the semifinals. That performance reinforced their reputation as a title contender.
That said, not everything went smoothly: for example, at China Evolution Series Act 3, EDG finished only 9–12th, highlighting their vulnerability against fast, aggressive playstyles. However, in recent months the numbers tell a different story — over 80% win rate across their last 11 matches — suggesting they have regained form and approach the year’s decisive tournaments in strong shape.
Currently, EDward Gaming look confident and ready for new challenges. Their style balances discipline and flexibility, and when necessary, they can rely on KangKang’s individual brilliance or the unpredictable plays of Smoggy and Jieni7. With many favorites struggling for consistency, EDG enter Champions as a team fully capable of challenging for another world title and keeping China at the top of the international stage.
Head-to-Head History
To date, NRG and EDward Gaming have not faced each other in official Valorant matches. Their first official meeting will take place on September 13, 2025, during the group stage of VALORANT Champions 2025.
Players to Watch
NRG: s0m — The longtime face of the team and its main duelist. In 2025, his consistency and clutch ability often decide NRG’s success.
EDG: ZmjjKK — The star of Chinese Valorant and the team’s primary weapon. His explosive Jett and Chamber play, along with clutch ability, made him key to EDG’s 2024 Champions win and still their biggest threat in 2025.
Probable Map Picks
In the match between NRG and EDward Gaming, the most likely maps are Pearl, Ascent, Sunset, and Haven. Pearl suits both teams, while Ascent and Sunset favor EDG and create problems for NRG. Haven looks balanced for both sides. At the same time, NRG’s strongest maps, such as Icebox and Lotus, will likely be banned by EDG, while NRG will almost certainly remove EDG’s best card, Fracture.
Anything else catch the eye?
While NRG enter this match as the clear favorite, EDG have all the tools to upset the Americans, having won Champions in 2024 and continued to perform solidly in 2025. The difference lies in momentum: NRG are still on the rise, while EDG bring past championship pedigree.
Match Prediction
On one side, NRG enter the playoffs in strong form after clear late-season improvement. On the other, EDward Gaming — 2024 Champions winners with experience and world-class talent.
This clash promises to be close: both teams have strengths and weaknesses, and a clean sweep looks unlikely. Betting on total maps over 2.5 seems the safest option.
Main prediction: NRG to win. The North Americans currently show better structure, adapt well to opponents, and look sharper in decisive matches. For risk-takers, the over 2.5 maps bet also holds value.
