Team Vitality vs Team Heretics Match Prediction and Analysis

On February 7, we will find out which team will be the first from the EMEA region to qualify for Masters Bangkok—Team Vitality or Team Heretics. In this analysis, we break down both teams’ performances and predict the winner of one of the most intense matches of the VCT 2025: EMEA Kickoff.

Current Form of the Teams

Team Vitality

After finishing the 2024 season in 9th-12th place at Champions, Vitality chose to focus on preparing for the new year and building a refreshed roster, skipping offseason tournaments.

Despite this, they started strong at VCT 2025: EMEA Kickoff, winning their first two matches. Notably, they secured a clean 2-0 victory over FUT Esports, a team that later eliminated Fnatic—one of the tournament favorites.

Their roster upgrades have significantly impacted their results. The additions of Derke, Europe’s top duelist, and Less, the 2022 world champion, have elevated the team’s performance both on paper and in-game.

bo3.gg

Team Heretics

Heretics were slightly more active in the offseason than Vitality but also avoided unnecessary tournaments. After finishing second at Champions, they participated in Red Bull Home Ground #5 but had to withdraw due to a player’s health issues. They also lost their exhibition match against Gentle Mates.

However, at VCT 2025: EMEA Kickoff, they won both of their matches to reach the upper bracket final alongside Team Vitality, defeating BBL Esports and Gentle Mates along the way.

Their biggest advantage is stability—they did not change their roster between seasons, giving them a level of synergy that many teams with roster changes lack.

bo3.gg

Map Pool Predictions

Expected map picks and bans:

First bans:

Team Vitality will ban Pearl (always their first ban).
Team Heretics will ban Split (their regular first ban).

Map picks:

Team Vitality will pick Haven or Split. Since Split is banned, their most likely choice is Haven.
Team Heretics will pick Lotus or Fracture. Given their 64% win rate on Lotus, they are likely to choose that map.

Second bans:

Team Vitality will likely ban Fracture, as it is one of Heretics’ best picks.
Team Heretics will ban Abyss, since Vitality has their best win rate on that map.

Decider:

The remaining map will be Bind.

Thus, the likely map pool for the match will be:

Haven (Vitality’s pick)
Lotus (Heretics’ pick)
Bind (decider)

Head-to-Head Record

Team Vitality holds a dominant record against Team Heretics, winning all six of their previous encounters. The last two matches, played six months ago, also ended in Vitality’s favor.Heretics have never beaten Vitality, which could put psychological pressure on them ahead of this series.

Match Prediction

Considering all factors:

Vitality’s strong start in the tournament, including a win over FUT Esports, who eliminated Fnatic.
Vitality’s roster improvements with Derke and Less.
Head-to-head dominance (Vitality leads 6-0 in previous encounters).
Heretics’ weak win rate on Abyss, limiting their map pool flexibility.

Expected result: Team Vitality to win 2-1.

Vitality will likely take Haven.
Heretics should win Lotus.
Bind, the decider, will be a tough challenge for both teams, but Vitality’s individual skill give them the edge.

VCT 2025: EMEA Kickoff is running from January 15 to February 9 as a LAN event at Riot Games Arena. Twelve VCT partner teams are competing for two spots at Masters Bangkok and crucial EMEA Points, which are key for qualifying for the World Championship.