15. Guangzhou Charge: Brighton

We think Guangzhou, like Brighton, are sitting on a pretty comfortable spot where they are guaranteed several wins this season while at the same time are able to feel assured of their position in the league. They can sleep soundly at night knowing they won’t suffer the ignominy of finishing the season winless yet knowingly accept that finishing anywhere above 15th place is a bonus.

14. Shanghai Dragons: Southampton

Both teams join the new season being the lowest-ranked from the previous season – Southampton barely avoiding relegation in 17th place while the Dragons coming out of the notorious 0-40 record. Both teams have a ton to prove and despite all the negativity surrounding them, talent isn’t what they both lack.

What both teams need to do is to put last season firmly behind them and look forward afresh and lucky for the Dragons, they are back with a completely new setup. They purged almost everyone from last season save for Diya, Geguri and Fearless who remain the core of the current team. We see them performing much better this time around thanks to a much stronger and more talented corps surrounding them.

That elusive first win is just around the corner.

13. Houston Outlaws: Everton

Many fans got excited when the Outlaws performed way above expectations during the early portions of the inaugural season only to be undone with their late-season slump. It shouldn’t come as a surprise though as while they ruled the roost during the Junkrat meta, were unable to keep up once things shifts especially once a good Tracer player became necessary. While the acquisition of Danteh from the Shock may have solved this issue – we aren’t in a Tracer-dominated meta anymore.

Apart from Danteh, this team also haven’t improved at all in other departments – something they will come to regret as early as the third match of the season.

Lastly, just like how Everton is the lesser of the two Liverpool-based teams, so is Houston being the outshone and outperformed by their Texan rivals, the Dallas Fuel during the second season of the Overwatch League.

12. Toronto Defiant: Burnley

If we are to choose one word to describe Toronto Defiant, it would be ‘Plucky’.

Extremely dangerous given the right circumstances yet not much of a long-term threat due to several limitations the current squad face. They will rely heavily on Overwatch League veterans in Asher, Envy and Neko to lead the way and we are excited to see how the former O2 Ardeont trio in Ivy, Stellar and Yakpung fare on the big stage.

No one expected Burnley to finish seventh last season and we won’t be surprised either to see the Defiant punching well above their weight if they are able to effectively meld experience with new-blood enthusiasm.

11. Washington Justice: Cardiff

Just like Washington Justice, Cardiff are newcomers to the league and to be honest, are solid occupiers of the middle of the pack. Justice’s Korean-heavy lineup should be able to mount some significant challenge throughout the season and while we don’t see them breaking into the top half of the standings, are good bets for late season surges and playing spoilers to championship-hunting teams.

Any match against Justice is a potential banana skin and just like Cardiff who aren’t exactly lighting up the league at the moment, pose a real danger as opponents don’t really know what’s up their sleeve.

The darkest of the dark horses.

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