While the ESL StarCraft II Masters 2023 Summer: America is happening over the next three weeks, its mirror image tournament will also be going down in Asia. With the majority of the world’s top players hailing from Asia and plenty of those names playing in this tournament, expect some red-hot action over the coming weeks.
Chinese superstar Oliveira stands head and shoulders above the competition heading into tomorrow’s first day of the ESL StarCraft II Masters 2023 Summer: Asia. Is the title already his or can Nice, Has, Cyan or Firefly some how find their best form and pull off an upset? We break down all the latest betting odds from bookmaker William Hill, answering this question and more.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: May 1st, 4:30 A.M. (GMT)
It’s rare to see such skewed odds heading into an SC2 event, and yet, bookmaker William Hill has Oliveira at 1.33 to win the ESL StarCraft II Masters 2023 Summer: Asia. The next closest in the betting odds? Taiwanese player Nice, who sits way back on 6.50. Compatriot Has follows on 8.00 before Chinese players Cyan and Firefly round out the top five betting favourites with odds of 9.00 and 11.00 to win.
Currently sitting at No. 21 in the ESL Pro Tour 2022/23 combined standings, it’s no surprise that Oliveira is the player to beat in this tournament. The 22-year-old comes into the ESL StarCraft II Masters 2023 Summer: Asia off the back of winning the IEM Katowice 2023 in February. This was his first Premier Tournament win, to go with the two Majors that Oliveira won in 2022. Since then, he’s been playing good StarCraft II as well, coming runner up in four events since.
The challengers to Oliveira are a mixed bag. Nice is yet to crack the top 10 in a Premier Tournament across his career and doesn’t seem poised to trouble Oliveira coming into this with one win form his past seven matches. Cyan, on the other hand, is a little more erratic and could be a better prospect for an upset. The Chinese player has more experience and at 30 years old is an old dog with a few tricks. It’s unlikely but if Oliveira was to draw him in the first round, Has could fancy his chances.
Overall, the betting here isn’t particularly lucrative, but it’s a very conservative option backing Oliveira to win the ESL StarCraft II Masters 2023 Summer: Asia. It may seem like Oliveira is taking candy from a baby here, but it’s still an opportunity to get a healthy return on your betting.
