Nova Esports vs FunPlus Phoenix Betting Predictions
Nova Esports and FunPlus Phoenix are set to face off on Sunday, July 12, in the first week of VCT 2026 China Stage 2, marking their third clash of the year.
Nova Esports have not shown much this season, besides winning the VALORANT China Evolution Series 2026: Act 2 in May. However, even that performance is nothing to write home about, as the field was fairly soft.
While the same can be said about FunPlus Phoenix, who’ve yet to win anything, FPX look significantly stronger on paper, especially after the more recent roster changes. FPX have a lot to prove heading into Stage 2, especially against stronger teams.
However, FunPlus Phoenix looked deadly against Trace Esports in their first game of VCT China Stage 2, and another such performance should be enough for a comfortable win on Sunday.
- FPX look strong on paper
- Nova Esports are viewed as a mid-bottom table team
- This is FunPlus Phoenix’s game to lose
FunPlus Phoenix Lead H2H 2-1
FunPlus Phoenix and Nova Esports have met three times this season, with tow clashes ending in FPX’s favour.
| Date | Event | Winner | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 15 | EWC 2026 China Qualifier | FunPlus Phoenix | 2-1 |
| May 12 | EWC 2026 China Qualifier | Nova Esports | 2-1 |
| March 17 | CN EVO Series A1 | FunPlus Phoenix | 2-0 |
Where to Watch Nova Esports vs FunPlus Phoenix Live?
Esports fans can find live streams of the clash between Nova Esports and FunPlus Phoenix on any online streaming platform, as well as on Stake and other prominent VALORANT bookmakers.
- Visit Stake
- Register on Stake with promo code NEWBONUS or log in
- Open the VALORANT section and find VCT China Stage 2 markets
- Enjoy the live streams and place in-play bets
FunPlus Phoenix Off To A Strong Start
FunPlus Phoenix enter Sunday’s game off a 2-0 sweep of Trace Esports, which was a very promising display from the revamped roster.
FPX won the game 13-3 on Sunset and 13-9 on Summit, proving that the recent roster changes have worked out, especially as both coconut and Xlele stepped up and delivered, with performance ratings of 1.36 and 1.29. Admittedly, FPX bested a relatively weak opponent; however, it is not like things should get any more challenging for them on Sunday.
Even though FunPlus Phoenix have a lot more to prove, especially against stronger teams, they appear to be on the right track to do some damage in Stage 2, and potentially threaten a strong finish.
| Date | Event | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 10 | VCT 2026 China Stage 2 | Trace Esports | 2-0 (W) |
| May 25 | CN EVO Series A2 | All Gamers | 0-2 (L) |
| May 21 | CN EVO Series A2 | Wolves Esports | 2-0 (W) |
| May 19 | EWC 2026 China Qualifier | All Gamers | 0-2 (L) |
| May 18 | EWC 2026 China Qualifier | Trace Esports | 2-0 (W) |
FunPlus Phoenix Squad & Team News
FunPlus Phoenix have signed two new players for Stage 2, including Xlele and coconut.
- Zhang "AAAAY" Yang
- Ou "Setrod" Tai-keng
- Blendi "kovaQ" Kovaci
- Colin "coconut" Chung
- Zhao "Xlele" Yanbo
Nova Esports With More to Prove
Nova Esports have yet to play a game this stage, so they’ve yet to have a chance to debut their new player. However, Nova were active at the end of May, surprising many with a title run at VALORANT China Evolution Series 2026: Act 2.
It was their first and only notable tournament run of the season, after placing 11th-12th in VCT China Kickoff and ninth-10th in Stage 1. But even though Nova won the EVO Series, it is fair to question how much weight that success holds.
Having struggled domestically this entire season, Nova enter Stage 2 with very low expectations, and rightly so. And until proven otherwise, Nova will remain a mid-bottom table team.
| Date | Event | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 31 | CN EVO Series A2 | Titan Esports Club | 3-2 (W) |
| May 29 | CN EVO Series A2 | TYLOO | 2-0 (W) |
| May 26 | CN EVO Series A2 | JD Gaming | 2-0 (W) |
| May 23 | CN EVO Series A2 | KBG | 2-1 (W) |
| May 15 | EWC 2026 China Qualifier | FunPlus Phoenix | 1-2 (L) |
Nova Esports Squad & Team News
Nova Esports enter Stage 2 with one new player in cb, who joined at the start of July.
- Bo “kodeth” Li
- Guang "GuanG" Honglin
- Zhao "Ezeir" Zejun
- Chiu "Green" Chien-chih
- Bijan "qiutiaN" Moeinzadeh
- Mikhail "swagzor" Vanyushin
- Wang "cb" Qingchuan