The VCT Americas League 2023 Playoffs stage is in full swing, with two teams already locking a spot in VCT 2023 Masters Tokyo and VCT Champions 2023. Today's matches will see the elimination of the first two teams from the Americas bracket stage. The first matchup features Brazil's FURIA Esports taking on the North American organization NRG.The winners of this match will face the winner of Cloud 9 vs. Leviatán for the final spot at VCT 2023 Masters Tokyo and VCT Champions 2023.FURIA Esports vs NRG - Who will win the first lower-bracket quarterfinals match in the VCT Americas League?PredictionsFURIA is one of the most explosive teams in the Americas circuit. The team has huge amounts of raw mechanical skill and aim. The core of Douglas "dgzin" Silva, Leonardo "mwzera" Serratti, and Khalil "Khalil" Schmidt can go toe-to-toe against any opponent when they are playing at their peak form.FURIA@FURIA0-2 contra a @LOUDgg no #VCTAmericas. GGWP!#FURIAVAL sofre a derrota hoje, mas aguarda o adversário pra seguir nos playoffs do campeonato e em busca da vaga pro Masters/Champions!1498200-2 contra a @LOUDgg no #VCTAmericas. GGWP!#FURIAVAL sofre a derrota hoje, mas aguarda o adversário pra seguir nos playoffs do campeonato e em busca da vaga pro Masters/Champions! https://t.co/6rrsPyZOvqNRG is a top-tier team and amongst the best teams in the world. They have world-class shot-calling in the form of IGL Pujan "FiNESSE" Mehta and Austin "Crashies" Roberts. The team also has a heap of individual talent, with star players Samuel "s0m" Oh and Ardis "Ardiis" Svarenieks being able to single-handedly take over a game.NRG@NRGggNot our day...NRG VALORANT's back at it Thursday.313466Not our day...NRG VALORANT's back at it Thursday. https://t.co/2E6px0VC6mNRG are the favorites heading into this series. Despite both teams having some issues with inconsistent gameplay, NRG has shown they can adapt and bounce back from losses. FURIA's one-dimensional and chaotic playstyle will not be able to power them through the anti-stratting and shot-calling of NRG.Head-to-headFURIA Esports and NRG previously faced off in the sixth week of the regular season. NRG were able to close out the tightly contested series with a 2-1 scoreline.Recent resultsFURIA Esports had a solid start to their playoff run by defeating Leviatán with a 2-1 scoreline. FURIA were outclassed entirely in their next match in the upper-bracket semifinals versus regional rivals, LOUD. They managed only to win nine rounds across two maps.NRG ended the regular season with a strong five-game winning streak. NRG was unable to ride this momentum in their upper-bracket quarterfinals game as they suffered a shock defeat against Evil GeniusesVALORANT Esports NA@valesports_naA quick 3K from @khalilfps to win the pistol! #VCTAmericas valorantesports.com/watch613A quick 3K from @khalilfps to win the pistol! #VCTAmericas 📺 valorantesports.com/watch https://t.co/ZcC4FFrlhRExpected lineupsFURIA EsportsGabriel "qck" LimaKhalil "Khalil" SchmidtMatheus "mazin" Araújo (IGL)Douglas "dgzin" SilvaLeonardo "mwzera" SerratiCarlos "Carlão" Mohn (Coach)NRG EsportsPujan "FiNESSE" Mehta (IGL)Sam "s0m" OhAustin "crashies" RobertsArdis "ardiis" SvarenieksVictor "Victor" WongChet "Chet" Singh (Coach)VALORANT Esports NA@valesports_naW STREAMER WITH THE CLUTCH 3K@s0mcs | #VCTAmericas1462W STREAMER WITH THE CLUTCH 3K@s0mcs | #VCTAmericas https://t.co/LRccWKazbrWhen and where to watchFans worldwide can watch the first lower-bracket quarterfinals matchup of the VCT Americas League playoffs on the official Valorant Americas Twitch and Youtube channels. The matchup will also be streamed in other languages, such as Spanish and Portuguese.FURIA Esports will face off against NRG on May 25, 2023, at 1:00 PM PDT / 10:00 PM CEST / 1:30 AM IST (May 26, 2023)