A rematch between Dragon Ranger Gaming and EDward Gaming will take place on March 29 as part of VCT 2025: China Stage 1, where both teams will have the chance to bounce back from their previous losses and move to a 2:1 record in the group. We’ll review both teams' form and provide a prediction for the winner.

Current Form of the Teams

Dragon Ranger Gaming

Dragon Ranger Gaming (DRG) have played two tournaments at the start of 2025 — finishing 4th at VCT China Kickoff and 5th–8th at VALORANT China Evolution Series Act 1. Out of their last five matches, they have won two, including a victory over NOVA Esports — who later defeated EDward Gaming — although DRG themselves have already lost to EDG in a recent encounter.

The team made some roster moves by signing Ying and baize, bringing their squad to eight players, though no major changes were made to the starting five.

EDward Gaming

EDward Gaming started the year by winning VCT China Kickoff but suffered an early exit in their first match at China Evolution Series Act 1, finishing 9th–12th. However, they redeemed themselves at Masters Bangkok 2025, finishing third among the world’s best teams.

From their last five matches, EDG have won two and lost three — including international losses to G2 Esports and T1, and a domestic defeat to NOVA Esports in China Stage 1. Recently, they added Jieni7 from their academy as a sixth player.

Teams’ Map Pool

Expected map veto phase:

Ban 1:

• DRG — Split
• EDG — Lotus

Pick 1:

• DRG — Ascent
• EDG — Fracture

Ban 2:

• DRG — Icebox
• EDG — Pearl

Decider:

• Haven

Head-to-Head Matches

The teams have faced each other six times, with DRG winning only once. Their most recent meeting was two months ago, where EDward Gaming secured a convincing 2:0 victory. The overall head-to-head record clearly favors EDG.

Match Prediction

Despite their misstep in the Evolution Series, EDward Gaming remain one of China’s strongest teams, as proven at Masters Bangkok 2025. Their map pool is stable, with high win rates on key maps like Fracture and Haven. DRG, while showing gradual improvement and a notable win over NOVA, still struggle with consistency and a limited map pool. The recent signings are unlikely to significantly affect the outcome of this upcoming match.

Prediction: EDward Gaming will win 2:0.

VCT 2025: China Stage 1 runs from March 13 to May 4 in LAN format at the VCT CN Arena in Shanghai. Twelve partnered VCT China teams are competing for three spots at Masters Toronto, as well as for China Points needed to qualify for the upcoming Champions.