The first round of VCT 2025: Americas Kickoff is behind us. Now, the top American teams of 2024 begin their journey. This article focuses on one of them—Sentinels—who will play against 100 Thieves. We will attempt to predict the outcome of this match based on various factors influencing the game.

Current Team Form

Sentinels

Sentinels ended the off-season with mixed results. At the SEN City Classic 2024, they finished in 2nd place, but their performance at the SOOP VALORANT League 2024 was less successful, landing in 5th-6th place. They also failed to qualify for Red Bull Home Ground #5.

Out of their last five matches, Sentinels lost three, but these losses occurred during the off-season, so they may not be overly significant. The team lost TenZ and Sacy but gained promising newcomers—N4RRATE and Bang—which might change their dynamics in VCT 2025.

100 Thieves

100 Thieves participated in only one off-season tournament—For Those Who Dare 2024—where they placed last, competing against tier-2 teams.

Recent results show two wins in their last five matches, including one against Sentinels and another in their debut match at VCT 2025: Americas Kickoff against MIBR.

Team Map Pool

Sentinels

Commonly ban: Abyss

Most played maps in the past year:

• Split (19 times, 74% win rate)
• Lotus (19 times, 74% win rate)

Best maps:

• Split (74% win rate)
• Lotus (74% win rate)

100 Thieves

Commonly ban: Abyss (same as Sentinels)

Most played maps in the past year:

• Bind (16 times, 56% win rate) 
• Split (9 times, 56% win rate)

Best maps:

• Bind (56% win rate) 
• Split (56% win rate)

Predicted map pool for this match:

First stage bans:

• Sentinels ban Abyss 
• 100 Thieves ban Pearl

Picks:

• Sentinels pick Split 
• 100 Thieves pick Bind

Decider: Haven

Head-to-Head Matches

In the past year, Sentinels and 100 Thieves have faced each other three times. The most recent match was a 2-0 victory for 100 Thieves, but the previous two games were won by Sentinels.

Over the past four years, the teams have met 15 times, with only four wins going to 100 Thieves, highlighting Sentinels’ clear advantage in their rivalry.

Match Prediction

Considering current form, map pool, and head-to-head history, Sentinels appear to be the favorites. Their broader map pool and stronger statistics give them confidence over their opponent. The addition of new players may provide fresh dynamics, bridging the gap caused by the departure of Sacy and TenZ.

100 Thieves, despite their recent victory against Sentinels, have shown inconsistency, compounded by their lack of activity in tournaments during the off-season.

Expected score: 2:1 in favor of Sentinels.

VCT 2025: Americas Kickoff runs from January 16 to February 8 in a LAN format at Riot Games Arena in Los Angeles, USA. Twelve partnered teams from the VCT program are competing for two invitations to the Masters Bangkok tournament and crucial Americas Points needed for World Championship qualification.