Toronto Defiant vs Atlanta Reign

This is where things get a whole lot more interesting: Atlanta Reign vs. Toronto Defiant might be a lot closer than most folks expect. Still, that's mostly because the meta is still in a state of flux and most teams don't have a whole lot of synergy to speak of. Heck, some of them don't have any synergy whatsoever, but that's beside the point.

Atlanta and Toronto are also still impossible to read at this point in time — no one can make any sort of prediction with confidence. On the one hand, that's why this match-up is so darn exciting; on the other, that's not exactly what you want if you're putting your hard-earned money on the line. We know for a fact that Atlanta are better, they have a higher skill ceiling, and will probably enter this match swinging for the fences. Still, that doesn't mean their shots will connect — everyone's still a bit too rusty at this point and will need a couple of weeks to get into the swing of things. We're at the very start of the 2021 season and no one's still all too sure of what's the best and most optimal way of playing the game right now. This, in turn, means that mind-boggling upsets and huge twists are all but guaranteed. Beginnings are always volatile (almost by default), and this season should be no exception.

All of that said, it's impossible not to side with Atlanta on this one. We're not doing so with any kind of absolute confidence, but it's the only logical choice. Their first showing against the Florida Mayhem was relatively acceptable but they didn't get the job done which, in all fairness, is the only thing that matters. This time around they'll have a much less dangerous opponent in Toronto, but that doesn't mean they'll dispose of their adversaries with ease -- on the contrary. The Defiant know they're the underdogs (they're used it by this point) and will surely play their heart's out to get the win and start the season off on a somewhat positive note. Regardless, the Reign have more tools to work with and if they put their best foot forward they should, by all means, be able to emerge victorious.