by The Rocket League group stage at the Esports World Cup kicks off on Thursday, August 22. Below you will find our preview and best bets for six opening-day matches, with odds courtesy of the top esports betting sites for gamblers in South Korea.
| Time | Team 1 (Odds) | Team 2 (Odds) | Total Maps (O/U 3.5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4pm AST | Team BDS ($1.08) | PWR ($7.00) | Over $1.72 | Under $2.00 |
Team BDS have experienced a rocky 2024 season, and they are coming off a fifth-eighth finish at the London Major in June. PWR have dominated the Oceania Rocket League scene, winning all six of the Major 2 qualifiers before finishing 9th–11th in London. At $2.10 for BDS to win 3-0, it looks to be great value.
Team BDS -2.5 maps
| Time | Team 1 (Odds) | Team 2 (Odds) | Total Maps (O/U 3.5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6pm AST | Gen.G ($1.20) | Team Secret ($4.33) | Over $1.50 | Under $2.50 |
Gen.G and Team Secret clashed in the RLCS London Major group stage, where the former took the series 3-1. It was a close contest, with Gen.G winning two maps with a 1-0 scoreline. Another close match looks to be on the cards, and taking the overs in the total maps market is the play.
Over 3.5 maps
| Time | Team 1 (Odds) | Team 2 (Odds) | Total Maps (O/U 3.5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7pm AST | FURIA ($1.01) | Nkosi Ballers ($15.00) | Over $2.62 | Under $1.44 |
FURIA enter the Esports World Cup off the back of a strong showing at the London Major, where they finished in third-fourth place. They will meet the Nkosi Ballers, who have yet to play at an S-Tier event and shouldn’t trouble FURIA too much.
FURIA -2.5 maps
| Time | Team 1 (Odds) | Team 2 (Odds) | Total Maps (O/U 3.5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8pm AST | Team Vitality ($1.40) | Twisted Minds ($2.75) | Over $1.36 | Under $3.00 |
Team Vitality are one of the best Rocket League teams; however, they have only won one event since claiming the RLCS World Championship in 2023. With esports bookmakers offering $1.90 for Vitality to cover the match line against Twisted Minds, they are the best bet of the day.
Team Vitality -1.5 maps
| Time | Team 1 (Odds) | Team 2 (Odds) | Total Maps (O/U 3.5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9pm AST | Gentle Mates Alpine ($1.03) | Chiefs Esports Club ($10.50) | Over $2.25 | Under $1.57 |
Gentle Mates Alpine are the outright favourites with esports betting sites to claim the Esports World Cup title. Considering they will kick off their campaign against an Oceania representative, a 3-0 victory is on the cards for the French organisation.
Gentle Mates Alpine to win 3-0
| Time | Team 1 (Odds) | Team 2 (Odds) | Total Maps (O/U 3.5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10pm AST | Spacestation Gaming ($1.20) | Gaimin Gladiators ($4.33) | Over $1.50 | Under $2.50 |
Spacestation Gaming performed admirably at the London Major before they were beaten in a hard-fought contest by G2 Stride in the quarterfinals. They will meet Gaimin Gladiators, who come off a 12th–14th finish at the same event. It is hard to see the Gladiators taking a map off Spacestation, so $2.75 for a 3-0 win to the favourites is a great price.
