First Stand Knockout Stage Betting – Is Hanwha Unstoppable?
From five teams to four, the First Stand Knockout Stage features two curious opening matches. Moreover, in this betting preview, we’re discussing whether we think anyone can stop Hanwha Life Esports from claiming the first international event of the year.
First Stand Knockout Stage Betting Odds
Seeded into a single elimination bracket, teams have one lifeline to stay in the competition making for fun LoL betting. Bearing this in mind, here’s a look at the live outright match LoL odds for the two opening Semifinals:
- CTBC Flying Oyster (1.68/-147) vs Karmine Corp (2.14/+114)
- Hanwha Life Esports (1.18/-555) vs Top Esports (4.56/+356)
Odds accessed 14/03/25, liable to change.
Of note, considering the Fearless Draft, there are special markets available for champion selection. In addition, live betting is worth considering.
Hanwha is Untouchable….or are they?
Without a doubt, First Stand is Hanwha’s tournament to lose. Seeding into the tournament as the absolute favourite, they’ve lived up to expectations, unlike Top Esports, the other favourite.
In addition, another thing they have going for them is the rich history of Korea dominating the international scene.
However, we wouldn’t go as far as to say that they are untouchable. Although a 4-0 record, they did lose two maps in the Round Robin to the unlikely teams of Karmine Corp and Team Liquid.
Thanks to the Fearless Draft, they can’t sit too cosily, as whoever gets to the Grand Final will try their best to thwart their champion picks, especially over a best-of-five.
Regardless, they’re LoL betting favourites to kick aside Top Esports and to beat whoever makes it to the Grand Final.
CTBC Flying Oyster – The Sole Challenger
After a clutch win over Top Esports, CTBC Flying Oyster earned the second seed in the Round Robin with their only loss at the hands of Hanwha Life Esports. Indeed, while they were favoured to beat out Team Liquid and Karmine Corp, it’s there win against Top Esports which proved their worth.
Now seeded against Karmine Corp, they have their eyes on the Grand Final. This likely timeline would make them the first Pacific team to reach a Grand Final since Taipei Assassins won Worlds in 2012.
Going up against Hanwha Life Esports, they’ll need to cause as much chaos as possible with the Fearless Draft to keep things interesting.
First Stand Knockout – Over Already
Unless Top Esports returns to their form, this looks like a done Grand Final featuring Hanwha Life and CTBC Flying Oyster.
Meanwhile, Karmine Corp would have to pull off a miracle to try and surprise, but we’re always hoping to be surprised.
