As the second split of the Overwatch League 2023 season, the OWL Summer Stage Qualifiers 2023 is beginning of the end of the year. Moreover, this is the last chance for teams to seed and compete, improving their chances at the OWL Playoffs. Let’s take a closer look at the ongoing competition in our OWL Summer Stage Qualifiers 2023 betting preview!

OWL Summer Stage Qualifiers 2023 Betting Preview

Kicking off on 13th July, the competition carries on until 18th September – across summer.

Taking place independently in two regions and Overwatch tournaments, West and East, the competition ranges from online to offline venues.

Continuing on Overwatch 2 as the platform, each region will compete in a round robin format with BO5 matches, where each team competes against one another once.

Here’s a look at the competing teams hoping to defy the Overwatch odds, while also noting that Chengdu Hunters as a franchise did in fact disband:

• East: Dallas Fuel, Guangzhou Charge, Hangzhou Spark, Seoul Dynasty, Seoul Infernal, Shanghai Dragons
  • East Spring Stage Knockouts: Dreamers, O2 Blast, Poker Face, PANTHERA
• West: Atlanta Reign, Boston Uprising, Florida Mayhem, Houston Outlaws, London Spitfire, Los Angeles Gladiators, Los Angeles Valiant, New York Excelsior, San Francisco Shock, Toronto Defiant, Vancouver Titans, Vegas Eternal, Washington Justice

Considering the difference in team numbers, seeding and progression for these regions is different. Here’s how seeding works for each region:

• East: 1-10th all head to the Summer Stage Knockouts
• West: 1-2nd (Summer Playoffs), 3-10th (Summer Play-Ins)

With so much competition to look forward to, there are multiple Overwatch betting opportunities to look forward to. Let’s take a look at some of the opening matches across both region:

July 13th 2023

• Florida Mayhem vs Houston Outlaws (21:00 CEST)
• Los Angeles Gladiators vs San Francisco Shock (00:00 CEST)

July 14th 2023

• Seoul Dynasty vs Shanghai Dragons (13:00 CEST)

Helping us preview these matches are odds provided by GG.Bet at the time of writing. As a top esports betting site, we recommend learning more in our very own GG.Bet review.

OWL Summer Stage Qualifiers 2023 – Odds and Predictions

Florida Mayhem vs Houston Outlaws

At the most recent event this season, the Midseason Madness, Houston Outlaws managed to surprise the competition with a second place finish under Atlanta Reign.

Meanwhile, at that same event, Florida Mayhem managed to place third, right under Houston Outlaws.

Considering how close these teams placed at the recent event, this should make for an interesting esports Overwatch League betting opportunity.

Regardless, due to a more impressive record this season, Houston Outlaws are the favourites here according to the Overwatch betting odds.

• Predictions: Houston Outlaws (3-1) Florida Mayhem
• Odds: Florida Mayhem Outright Win (2.98), Houston Outlaws Outright Win (1.37)
• Betting Site: GG.Bet

Los Angeles Gladiators vs San Francisco Shock

With both teams missing out on the Midseason Madness 2023, Los Angeles Gladiators and San Francisco Shock both competed last at the OWL Spring Stage Knockouts.

Here, San Francisco Shock fell short, placing 5-6th despite their strong legacy in the Overwatch League. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Gladiators barely missed out on qualifying for the Midseason Madness, placing third in the West OWL Spring Stage Knockouts.

For this reason, Los Angeles Gladiators is strongly favoured in this particular match up.

• Predictions: Los Angeles Gladiators (3-1) San Francisco Shock
• Odds: Los Angeles Gladiators Outright Win (1.54), San Francisco Shock Outright Win (2.41)
• Betting Site: GG.Bet

Seoul Dynasty vs Shanghai Dragons

For anyone that knows Shanghai Dragons, this is one of the most dominant teams in the world of the Overwatch League. With multiple victories and international championships, hopes where high heading into the 2023 season.

However, nobody could expect Shanghai Dragons to place 9-12th at the OWL Spring Stage Knockouts. Bearing this in mind, Seoul Dynasty also placed 9-12th at the same competition.

Looking more competitive overall though, Seoul Dynasty is likely the team to come out on top here according to the esports odds.

• Predictions: Seoul Dynasty (3-1) Shanghai Dragons
• Odds: Seoul Dynasty Outright Win (1.55), Shanghai Dragons Outright Win (2.38)
• Betting Site: GG.Bet

Images courtesy of the Overwatch League