by The Rocket League group stage at the Esports World Cup kicks off on Thursday, August 22. Below you will find our preview and best bets for six opening-day matches, with odds courtesy of the top esports betting sites for gamblers in United States.
| Time | Team 1 (Odds) | Team 2 (Odds) | Total Maps (O/U 3.5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4pm AST | Team BDS (-1250) | PWR (+600) | Over -138.89 | Under +100 |
Team BDS have experienced a rocky 2024 season, and they are coming off a fifth-eighth finish at the London Major in June. PWR have dominated the Oceania Rocket League scene, winning all six of the Major 2 qualifiers before finishing 9th–11th in London. At +110 for BDS to win 3-0, it looks to be great value.
Team BDS -2.5 maps
| Time | Team 1 (Odds) | Team 2 (Odds) | Total Maps (O/U 3.5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6pm AST | Gen.G (-500) | Team Secret (+333) | Over -200 | Under +150 |
Gen.G and Team Secret clashed in the RLCS London Major group stage, where the former took the series 3-1. It was a close contest, with Gen.G winning two maps with a 1-0 scoreline. Another close match looks to be on the cards, and taking the overs in the total maps market is the play.
Over 3.5 maps
| Time | Team 1 (Odds) | Team 2 (Odds) | Total Maps (O/U 3.5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7pm AST | FURIA (-10000) | Nkosi Ballers (+1400) | Over +162 | Under -227.27 |
FURIA enter the Esports World Cup off the back of a strong showing at the London Major, where they finished in third-fourth place. They will meet the Nkosi Ballers, who have yet to play at an S-Tier event and shouldn’t trouble FURIA too much.
FURIA -2.5 maps
| Time | Team 1 (Odds) | Team 2 (Odds) | Total Maps (O/U 3.5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8pm AST | Team Vitality (-250) | Twisted Minds (+175) | Over -277.78 | Under +200 |
Team Vitality are one of the best Rocket League teams; however, they have only won one event since claiming the RLCS World Championship in 2023. With esports bookmakers offering -111.11 for Vitality to cover the match line against Twisted Minds, they are the best bet of the day.
Team Vitality -1.5 maps
| Time | Team 1 (Odds) | Team 2 (Odds) | Total Maps (O/U 3.5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9pm AST | Gentle Mates Alpine (-3333.33) | Chiefs Esports Club (+950) | Over +125 | Under -175.44 |
Gentle Mates Alpine are the outright favourites with esports betting sites to claim the Esports World Cup title. Considering they will kick off their campaign against an Oceania representative, a 3-0 victory is on the cards for the French organisation.
Gentle Mates Alpine to win 3-0
| Time | Team 1 (Odds) | Team 2 (Odds) | Total Maps (O/U 3.5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10pm AST | Spacestation Gaming (-500) | Gaimin Gladiators (+333) | Over -200 | Under +150 |
Spacestation Gaming performed admirably at the London Major before they were beaten in a hard-fought contest by G2 Stride in the quarterfinals. They will meet Gaimin Gladiators, who come off a 12th–14th finish at the same event. It is hard to see the Gladiators taking a map off Spacestation, so +175 for a 3-0 win to the favourites is a great price.
