imo easily the heretics roster
aside from that obvious pick, sayf finally gets his super team plus a coach that meshes with him, theres literally no excuses this time around..
demon1 most likely has loads of pressure
heretics will do well, i refuse to believe they'll just be bad
vitality will either win an international or not make a single one
lev looks like they're dying due to bullshit roles in scrims
my personal pick for most pressure is Paper Rex, because the map pool is PERFECT for them, Tejo coming in means their playstyle is perfect for the meta, they finally learned some normal comps, and their players had an offseason to rest and reset. If they don't win this year, they are going to get blown up, because unless they have some Asuna level grasp on the org, they need a change if they can't win now
Apeks.
They're putting the whole game changers reputation on their back while potentially could be getting removed from Franchising in 1 year if they miss playoffs. If they do lose, Flor will be known for only farming GC, and GC will be regarded even worse. I hope they do well, even if I think they wont.
I feel like the answer will always be EDG, the have the most number of fans and practically represent an entire region by themselves and coming off a champions win if they don't at least place top 4 at master the wave of hate will be unreal.
just look at the hate EDG got during madrid and shanghai. its insane, the pressure on those guys are unreal because since they are the number 1 chinese team. compare that to others teams like for example liquid, all their fans know their mediocre asf so if they qual to an event that would be hype
EDG - got to prove it wasn't a once in a lifetime cindrella run/fluke and they are highly good.
Heretics - Everyone expects them to win Something this year, most expectations but they aren't in that much trouble as they can achieve it.
Lev- if this team doesn't work with demon1 then it's a clear indication of a failure and should be disbanded
Demon1- has to prove that his 2023 performance wasn't a one time thing and he can be consistently good.
Prx- this is it for them dude, this year if they don't win a single international they will be disbanded i believe.
T1- superteam that's why
Vitality - they could end up like 2024 NRG if igling from sayf fails and they have a cracked roster.
Adding to your list -
FPX- They are supposed to be 2nd best team in china but they are falling behind EDG , Life looks lost against KK in battle of best chinese player nd I am sure they will atleast want to go down swinging.
Secret- The adobo gang has again shown faith in Jessievash nd co and voices are only going to get louder if results don't come.
Talon- nobody in Thailand likes them or frost , Thai teams are disbanding their top players aren't getting chance in T1 due to Talon's pickups, few bad results nd people will call for their head.
Global - They have changed everything, first time in their history they are playing without any Indian, they have the most fair weather fanbase of all , if results still don't come more fans will abandon them nd their franchise position will get troubled due to falling interest of Indian market.
Koi- huge fanbase who has recieved no joy since starting of franchising, they need some success now or questions are on management.
Loud- The biggest Valorant org of Brazil is on a downhill slope, Pancada has everything he wanted now he needs to revive their glory.