by ESB brings you free Overwatch League (OWL) betting for five May Melee bouts. Here are our best bets for games played on Friday, April 30, with top odds courtesy of BetOnline.
LOS ANGELES VALIANT vs GUANGZHOU CHARGE OWL BETTING & MATCH DETAILS |
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| OWL Betting Odds: | Valiant +271 at BetOnline | Charge -416.67 at BetOnline |
| When: | April 30, 2021 at 17:00 CST |
| Watch Live: | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/overwatchleague) |
Los Angeles Valiant are a team no one expects to shine this season, which to some degree holds true for Guangzhou Charge as well. Both sides enter this match with a 0-2 record, but the Valiant hold a slightly better map differential due to their four-map series against Chengdu Hunters (1-3).
LA have not looked as bad as we thought they would, but that doesn’t mean we believe they’re a good team. The Charge are in the same boat, but they have as higher ceiling despite going 0-6 on the season.
We would have sided with the Charge at more appealing odds, but at this price, it makes more sense to take the Valiant with a map handicap.
Los Angeles Valiant +1.5 maps
SEOUL DYNASTY vs NEW YORK EXCELSIOR OWL BETTING & MATCH DETAILS |
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| OWL Betting Odds: | Dynasty -222.22 at BetOnline | Excelsior +159 at BetOnline |
| When: | April 30, 2021 at 18:30 CST |
| Watch Live: | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/overwatchleague) |
New York Excelsior looked awful in their 0-3 loss against Chengdu Hunters, but they seemed much improved in their 3-1 win against the Spark. Seoul Dynasty, on the other side, had a solid performance against Guangzhou Charge (3-0) but disappointed in their 1-3 loss against Philadelphia Fusion.
What might make the Dynasty a more appealing pick is that they forced the Fusion to match point on all four maps. However, there is something about their playstyle that leads us to believe this one could end in favour of the Excelsior.
At the offered OWL betting odds, you have to take a shot with the outsiders.
New York Excelsior to win
SHANGHAI DRAGONS vs HANGZHOU SPARK OWL BETTING & MATCH DETAILS |
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| OWL Betting Odds: | Dragons -909.09 at BetOnline | Spark +470 at BetOnline |
| When: | April 30, 2021 at 21:00 CST |
| Watch Live: | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/overwatchleague) |
The OWL betting odds suggest this will be an extremely one-sided affair, but we have reason to doubt that. On paper, Hangzhou Spark look extremely weak, but they did not perform too poorly in their bout with Philadelphia Fusion last week.
Even though the Spark lost 1-3, they still took the series lead and held the Fusion to match point on all maps. They followed that up with a very poor showing against New York Excelsior (1-3), so they might not be a very consistent team.
It will all depend on which version of Hangzhou we get here. Shanghai Dragons aren’t as good as last year, so there is a world where the Spark steal at least two maps.
Hangzhou Spark +1.5 maps
BOSTON UPRISING vs LONDON SPITFIRE OWL BETTING & MATCH DETAILS |
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| OWL Betting Odds: | Uprising -188.68 at BetOnline | Spitfire +138 at BetOnline |
| When: | April 30, 2021 at 12:00 PDT |
| Watch Live: | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/overwatchleague) |
Boston Uprising are priced as -188.68 favourites for this match, which may seem fair, but we weren’t convinced with their recent performances.
Both of these teams faced Los Angeles Gladiators last week, and they both lost 0-3. Boston won four rounds (4-7), whereas London Spitfire won only two (2-7).
Regardless of what those results might suggest, it’s the performances these two sides have shown on the final day of the week that makes us trust the Spitfire more. This could be a close one, but there is no denying London are more consistent.
London Spitfire to win
SAN FRANCISCO SHOCK vs FLORIDA MAYHEM OWL BETTING & MATCH DETAILS |
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| OWL Betting Odds: | Shock -344.83 at BetOnline | Mayhem +232 at BetOnline |
| When: | April 30, 2021 at 13:30 PDT |
| Watch Live: | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/overwatchleague) |
Florida Mayhem are a weird team. Even though they are winning games (2-0), they are also showing weaknesses – most notably in their 3-1 win against Vancouver Titans.
San Francisco Shock are an entirely different story. They played well in their 2-3 loss against Houston Outlaws, and it was ultimately a poor coaching decision that lost them the game.
Florida might steal one map, but they seem far too shaky for us to believe they can achieve much more. Expect a straightforward win for the reigning OWL champions.
