Bilibili Gaming will face off against JD Esports in the second match of VCT 2025: China Stage 1. This match presents an opportunity for Bilibili Gaming to become the second team in the group with a 2-0 record in the group stage. Let's assess the form of both teams and predict the winner of this match.

Current Team Form

Bilibili Gaming

Bilibili Gaming started the season confidently, securing third place at the VCT 2025: China Kickoff, losing to Edward Gaming 0-3 in the lower bracket final. The team showed steady progress at the China Evolution Series: Act 1, winning the third-place match decisively against JD Esports with a 3-0 score. In their last five matches, Bilibili won three, including a recent victory over Xi Lai Gaming in VCT 2025: China Stage 1 with a 2-1 score. The team is demonstrating consistent play and a strong start to the group stage.

JD Esports

JD Esports had a less fortunate start. At VCT 2025: China Kickoff, the team was eliminated early, finishing 7-8th after losing to Xi Lai Gaming 1-2. In the China Evolution Series: Act 1, JD Esports managed to defeat Xi Lai Gaming (2-0), but were crushed by Bilibili Gaming in the third-place match (0-3). This season, the team has won only two of their last five matches. In the group stage, JD Esports lost their debut match against Wolves Esports (0-2). It's also worth noting the departure of player YHchen from the roster on March 9th — a replacement has yet to be announced, potentially affecting the team's synergy.

Team Map Pool

Based on map selection history, the following sequence can be anticipated:

• Bilibili Gaming ban: Fracture — consistently the first map banned in recent matches.
• JD Esports ban: Ascent — their worst map statistically (0 wins in 2 games), frequently banned before.
• Bilibili Gaming pick: Pearl — their most frequently chosen map with a 50% win rate over 8 matches.
• JD Esports pick: Haven — used as the first pick in the team's last match.
• Bilibili Gaming ban: Split — the team's worst map (0 wins in 3 games).
• Remaining map: Icebox — both teams have wins on this map, and it's not among their weak maps.

Thus, the anticipated map pool:

• First map: Pearl (Bilibili Gaming's pick)
• Second map: Haven (JD Esports' pick)
• Third map (Decider): Icebox

Head-to-Head

The last encounter between the teams took place on February 15th during the China Evolution Series: Act 1, where Bilibili Gaming won 3-0. Overall, in head-to-head matches, the score is 3-0 in favor of Bilibili Gaming. Since the last meeting, JD Esports has lost player YHchen, and it's not officially known who replaced him.

Match Prediction

Given Bilibili Gaming's stable form, their confident win over JD Esports in the previous tournament (3-0), and a better start in VCT 2025: China Stage 1, they are the favorites for this match. JD Esports, on the other hand, is still searching for an optimal lineup after losing a player and shows weak performance on Haven — their likely map choice.

Prediction: Bilibili Gaming to win 2-0 or 2-1, depending on the decider map.

VCT 2025: China Stage 1 takes place from March 13th to May 4th. During the event, teams compete for three slots at VCT 2025: Masters Toronto and China Points, which are necessary for further qualification to VALORANT Champions. You can find more details about the match schedule and tournament results by following this link.