H2H : any discernible difference between VTS and VTE
 

On paper VTS and VTE seem similar in effect with a head to head. However this is only the case if both HM are differing in popularity.

James I think is marmite plenty hate him but actually he has a huge fan Base who like his blunt controversial talk style and many have him pegged as winner.

Grant is someone to whom most folk are either indifferent, and ultimately don't care either way, he's just regarded by many as an innocuous randy old goat kidding himself that Marnie's flirtatious nature was leading somewhere, if people dislike him it will be over not sticking up for Sairah, might irk some or older viewers will find him annoying for pre exciting reasons eg ditching first wife (red dress woman) for nation's sweet heart married Anthea Turner (Peter Powell), flake gate wedding and then cheating on Anthea and almost bankrupting her with failed property deals.

So the danger is although James has more fans than Grant I suspect he will still be evicted as he is also more disliked. H2H either way will see him leave.

Thing is, with 2 way evictions,you are right that a VTS 2 way is technically a VTE 2 way, BUT someone's going to have to like Grant slightly more than they dislike James in order to vote to save him.

I don't see a lot of people wanting to vote to save Grant even if they do dislike James because Grant is such a nobody. The only way Grant stays is if people both dislike James and like Grant. But looking online, Grant has no fanbase in the slightest.