When major esports tournaments approach, betting activity on 98win spikes. Bettors look for value, but many overlook one of the most critical factors: team form and momentum. Understanding how a team has been performing recently — not just in results but in quality of play — can be the difference between a winning bet and a costly one.
In esports, form isn’t just about win/loss records. It’s about context, trends, and subtle performance indicators that reveal whether a team is peaking, declining, or in transition. Here’s how to break it down and use this knowledge to your advantage when betting on 98win.
1. Recent Results Tell Part of the Story
Looking at a team’s most recent matches is the obvious starting point — but don’t just count wins and losses. Dig deeper. Ask:
- Who were the opponents?
- Were the wins dominant or narrow?
- Did they perform well on key maps?
- Were there major comebacks or collapses?
For example, a team that won three matches in a row might look “hot,” but if those wins were against lower-tier teams and required overtime or major comebacks, the momentum might be overvalued. On the other hand, a team with a recent loss to a top-tier opponent might have shown strong individual form and just barely missed the win — suggesting upward momentum.
Platforms like HLTV (CS:GO), Oracle’s Elixir (LoL), and Dotabuff (Dota 2) offer advanced match data that help separate true form from misleading records.
2. Track Map and Role Performance
In games like CS:GO, Valorant, and Dota 2, teams often have favored maps or roles. Form can be map-specific. A team might look solid overall but be underperforming on one of their key maps — a red flag if that map is likely to be picked in an upcoming series.
Use 98win’s pre-match data (or outside tools) to review:
- Recent win rates by map
- First-half performance (early game form)
- Player-specific stats like entry frag success or support contributions
Momentum can build within a specific role too. If a team’s star player has been struggling, even during wins, it could signal upcoming inconsistency. Conversely, if a rookie or mid-tier player suddenly shows breakout form, that could elevate the whole team.
3. Consider Tournament Pressure and Experience
Form isn’t only about recent matches — it’s also about how a team performs under pressure. Some squads dominate in smaller tournaments but collapse at majors. Others use early-stage losses as fuel for deep playoff runs.
Look at a team’s tournament history:
- How did they perform in similar-tier events?
- Did they improve as the event progressed?
- Do they historically struggle in group stages or finals?
This context matters on 98win, especially when betting on outright winners, playoff advancement, or stage-specific matchups.
4. Watch for Meta Shifts and Patch Changes
In games like League of Legends and Dota 2, patch updates can significantly alter the competitive landscape. A team in great form on Patch 13.6 may struggle on 13.7 if their preferred champions or strategies are nerfed.
Before major events, developers often release patches to shake up the meta. Smart bettors monitor:
- Champion pick/ban trends in scrims or smaller events
- Team adaptability (how quickly they adjusted after previous patches)
- Interviews or team statements about the patch
Teams with a narrow style may lose their edge after an update — even if they looked dominant just weeks before.
5. Trust the Eye Test — If You Watch the Matches
Stats are powerful, but if you watch the games, you can pick up on intangibles:
- Does a team communicate clearly?
- Are rotations sharp or sloppy?
- Is body language positive or tense?
Momentum is often visible in how confidently a team moves and reacts. If you spot a team playing clean, decisive rounds — even if they’re losing — they may be on the verge of turning things around. Use this insight to spot value bets before odds on 98win shift.
Final Thoughts
Form and momentum aren’t fixed — they’re fluid, especially in esports. A team’s performance leading into a big tournament is one of the most overlooked factors in betting. But if you take the time to analyze results, player trends, and meta adaptability, you’ll be able to spot true momentum and avoid betting traps.
On 98win, where tournament lines often go live early, recognizing real form before the crowd does gives you a huge edge. Don’t just look at the scoreboard — look deeper.