Another day of the VCT 2025: China Kickoff is behind us. Now, some of the best Chinese teams of 2024 begin their journey. In this article, we will focus on one of them — EDward Gaming, which will face off against Trace Esports. We aim to predict the outcome of this match based on various factors that influence the game.

Current Team Form

EDward Gaming

In recent months, EDward Gaming has actively participated in major tournaments such as the VALORANT Champions 2024, VALORANT Radiant Asia Invitational, and Shanghai Esports Masters 2024. Despite being the first Chinese world champions, the team has had a rough time after their victory in Seoul. They placed 7th-8th at the VALORANT Radiant Asia Invitational and 3rd-4th at the Shanghai Esports Masters 2024. However, despite these setbacks, the team has won three of their last five matches, defeating Nova Esports, Trace Esports, and JD Gaming. The losses came from matches against Nova Esports and XLG Esports. After their world title, the team struggled to find their form, but management decided to keep the championship roster for the VCT 2025.

Trace Esports

Trace Esports has not shown impressive results in recent months, participating in tournaments such as the VALORANT Champions 2024 and VALORANT Radiant Asia Invitational. Both tournaments were unsuccessful for the team, and they didn't make a strong impression on the audience. In their last five matches, the team also won three — against Dragon Ranger Gaming, All Gamers, and TYLOO — but lost to EDward Gaming and Nova Esports. Despite their weak form, the team continues to fight and prepare for important matches like this one.

Team Map Pool

EDward Gaming

EDward Gaming has clear map preferences. They consistently ban the map Pearl (4 times) because it is their weak spot. Depending on the opponent, the team chooses Bind (5 times, win rate 44%) and Ascent (9 times, win rate 56%). On these maps, EDward Gaming can show good results despite their inconsistent performance on Bind. The team has also demonstrated excellent results on maps with high win rates — Lotus (win rate 100%), Abyss (win rate 75%), and Sunset (win rate 67%).

Trace Esports

Trace Esports most often bans the map Abyss (3 times), as it is their weak map. The team bases their map selection on the opponent's weaknesses, frequently picking Ascent (9 times, win rate 44%) and Bind (5 times, win rate 40%). At the same time, Split (win rate 75%) and Pearl (win rate 50%) are maps where Trace Esports feels confident.

Regarding map selection, we can expect EDward Gaming to ban Pearl and pick Bind or Ascent, leaving Lotus or Sunset. Meanwhile, Trace Esports will likely ban Abyss and pick Ascent or Bind, leaving Split or Pearl.

Head-to-Head Record

In the last six months, the teams have faced each other three times, and each time EDward Gaming won with a 2:0 result. These convincing victories in their head-to-head meetings give EDward Gaming a clear advantage in this matchup and place them as the favorites.

Match Prediction

Given the current form of the teams and their head-to-head history, EDward Gaming appears to be the clear favorite for the upcoming match. Despite some difficulties after their world championship victory, the team has already proven their ability to win important matches, securing three victories in their last five games. Trace Esports continues to search for their form and, judging by previous encounters, struggles against EDward Gaming. It is expected that EDward Gaming will secure another confident win, likely with a 2:0 scoreline.