Season 1 of the Overwatch Contenders event in North America is heading into the final stages. Week 4 will be completed in the next couple of days, starting with the Round of 12 games and the quarterfinals, all of which will be played on May 21. With $10,000 on the line for the winners of the Week 4 series, there is certainly some pressure on the teams heading into the knockout games. The actions gets underway at 6 PM EST, when all 4 Round of 12 games will be played simultaneously. The winners of those matches will move on to face the 4 teams who are already in the quarterfinals, with those games set to go off at 7:30 PM EST. Let’s get the ball rolling by looking at the 4 earlier games in the Round of 12 and their Overwatch odds so you can make your bets.
Overwatch Contenders NA May 21st Matches
Malibu Vs Karasuno
Malibu did not take part in any of the games played in the first 3 weeks of the Overwatch Contenders event, but they did play their way in via the Week 4 trials. You would think that this might put them at a disadvantage against a team that has been in the mix in each of the past 3 weeks. In fact, Karasuno made a great run in Week 2, going all the way to the final before losing 3-0 to Third Impact, It is their only time in the money, thus far, but that experience should be enough to move them on to face Team Doge in the quarterfinals.
Uprising Academy Vs Hype Unit
Uprising Academy got into Contenders via the Week 2 trials, but their initial appearance in Week 3 was a short one, as they fell 3-1 to Square One in the Round of 12. Hype Unit made their first appearance in Week 3 and were perhaps a little unlucky not to make it into the semi-finals. They escaped the Round of 12 with a 3-1 win over DarkMode eSports before losing 3-2 to Second Wind in the quarterfinals. I am leaning towards Hype Unit to win and go on to face Triumph.
DarkMode eSports Vs Square One
This will be the second run at the money for DarkMode, who made their first appearance, albeit a short one, in Week 3. They started last week in the Round of 12, but were unable to go any further, losing 3-1 to Hype Unit. Square One got Season 1 off to a great start by getting to the semi-finals in Week 1 before falling to eventual winners Second Wind. That was followed by quarterfinal losses in Weeks 2 and 3. You have to give the edge here to Square One, who I expect to see in the quarterfinal against Second Wind.
Odyssey Vs Saints
The final game in the Round of 12 is a bit of a tricky one, as it’s the first time we will be seeing Odyssey in the Round of 12. That is certainly not the case with Saints, as they had themselves a great run in Week 2, going all the way to the semi-finals before losing to eventual winners Third Impact. Saints also had a quarterfinal appearance in Week 3, so they look like the best bet to move on and once again face Third Impact.
