MyBookie brings you free Dota 2 Betting previews and predictions for the first round of play at Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) China Tour 1 Division I.
Here are our eSports Betting previews and top betting picks for EHOME vs Phoenix Gaming and PSG.LGD vs Team Aster, who are set to lock horns on Monday, January 3.
Top Dota 2 Games to Wager on Monday, January 3
EHOME vs Phoenix Gaming
- When: Monday, January 3 – 13:00 CST
EHOME and Phoenix Gaming will clash in the opening round of the 2021/22 Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) China Tour 1 Division I in what promises to be an exciting affair. Although I don’t expect either team to dominate the division, both will want to secure this crucial win as it could make or break their chances of competing for a spot in the playoffs.
EHOME enter the 2021/22 DPC season with an entirely new roster, consisting of Guo “shiro” Xuan’ang, Huang “7e” Heming, Lin “plAnet” Hao, Zhang “zzq” Ziqiang. They are – interestingly enough – the former core of Phoenix Gaming.
Since Phoenix sold its entire roster to EHOME, the Chinese esports organization had to rebuild its roster and have done so with the additions of Li “M77” Chunbo, Pu “zone-” Junyu, Zhang “Shining” Jiabao, Yang “Yp” Yuepeng, and Liu “Lww” Weiwei.
If we compare these two rosters, we would have to give EHOME an edge, mainly because Phoenix’s team features unknown talent. Most of Phoenix’s players either hail from the second division or have never competed at a professional level, but that doesn’t necessarily mean Phoenix is set to fail.
EHOME’s current roster achieved plenty last season, but most of their success came in the second division of Chinese DPC, so it’s not like this team is very strong. It’s also worth noting that EHOME have only four players signed to its active Dota 2 lineup, meaning they will have to play with a stand-in, which won’t do any favors to their chemistry.
EHOME seem stronger on paper, but that doesn’t explain why Phoenix Gaming are priced as high as +175. Since this is the first match of the season, both teams will be ring rusty, which usually results in a more open affair and a higher chance of an upset.
Even though EHOME should win, Phoenix Gaming are a better bet at the offered eSports betting odds.
Prediction: Phoenix Gaming to win
PDG.LGD vs Team Aster
- When: Monday, January 3 – 16:00 CST
PSG.LGD enter the 2021/22 season as The International 10 finalists, which effectively means this was the second-strongest team in the world last season. And since PSG.LGD hasn’t made any roster changes to its roster; it’s fair to expect them to be just as successful in 2022.
Team Aster were once one of the top Chinese Dota 2 teams, but they’re far from that status heading into the 2022 season. Despite their success domestically (second in the first season and first in the second season), Aster fell apart at TI10, where they could only manage a 13th-16th place finish.
The disappointing finish to the season ushered in roster changes, and Aster added Yu “Siamese.C” Yajun and Zeng “Ori” Jiaoyang from the academy team and Vici Gaming, respectively. The duo replaced Liu “White Album_白学家” Yuhao, and Zhang “LaNm” Zhicheng with the former transferred back to Aster.Aries and the latter moved back to his position as a head coach.
Aster’s changes this offseason should make the team more potent, but only slightly. So while I wouldn’t be surprised to see Aster compete for a top-four finish, they will struggle to win the division.
PSG.LGD are clearly a much stronger team, and they shouldn’t be struggling against the likes of Aster. Ring rust will be a factor, but even if they don’t play at 100%, PSG.LGD should walk away from this bout with a W.
Prediction: PSG.LGD -1.5 maps