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The LCS ramps up with intensity this weekend as Team Liquid and Cloud9 get set for their first rematch since the Lock-in Final. CLG have some much needed relief in the jungle with Broxah finally getting his visa approved.
After being the laughing stock of the LCS after week 1, TSM are riding a four-game win streak with revitalized champion picks. But can they take it to the next level against 100 Thieves and Evil Geniuses this week to continue the momentum?
Dignitas vs. FlyQuest (Day One)
Dignitas managed to pick up a nice little win over Evil Geniuses last week. In that game, Dardoch and the rest of his team just took over after an advantageous early game draft that snowballed their team to the finish line. For this encounter, they will want a similar approach as they try to throw off the carry jungle tonic that FLY’s Josedeodo will be trying to implement.
FlyQuest has a better time against lesser teams, but something about last week’s win for Dignitas may spark them into overperforming once again with a ‘better’ rival in front of them. FlyQuest have the better players and strategy on paper, but Dignitas have a habit of frustrating opponents and Dardoch especially can be a master of mind games when it comes to stomping out rookie junglers who are just developing their confidence.
While I expect this to be an overall bad week for Dignitas the rest of the weekend, this should be their one saving grace and a promising pick for an upset win on day one of week three.
Pick: Dignitas
Odds: 1.95
Betting Site: GG.bet
Counter Logic Gaming vs. Immortals (Day Two)
Counter Logic Gaming are high on our list this week for upsets given the return of Broxah to North America now that his visa has been approved. CLG have lost their games in the most frustrating of fashion this split. Winning games handily for 15-20 minutes before utterly losing steam in the mid to late game and coughing up huge advantages. With a seasoned and battle-tested jungler at their disposal, those tough losses could become easy wins, and this is definitely one of those games to make that happen.
For what it’s worth, the rest of CLG have looked promising in small instances. Finn has shown he has taken the bullying from last year’s Worlds in stride this year as he continues to impress in lane. As Smoothie and Wildturtle continue piloting the team and adding an experienced jungler to the mix, this could be a winning formula for a team that has looked hopelessly out of sorts so far. Immortals have the opportunity to win this game, but hype CLG will get in their first game back with Broxah against C9 will surely transfer into this one. Expect a fiery game between these two struggling, yet talented teams.
Pick: CLG
Odds: 2.00
Betting Site: Luckbox
TSM vs. 100 Thieves (Day Two)
TSM went from hopeless to heroes in the span of a week. They are currently sitting on a four-win streak and have finally found their stride with Huni leading the charge and PowerOfEvil playing his classic control in middle. The cogs have started rolling in the right direction for TSM, but they have a massive challenge ahead of them against the (5-1) 100 Thieves.
100 Thieves have looked nearly unbeatable since the start of the split, mainly on the back of Closer doing the dirty work in the brushes and the rest of his team finally being good enough to follow up on the plays and finish their dinner. Because of that positive flow, 100 Thieves have been riding high. But of course, like anything in the LCS, what goes up must come down and it feels like this is the game where limits get tested and we might see some big teams crack under pressure.
We’re picking TSM to win in this encounter due to their upward trajectory, but expect this game to be lost more so because of a 100T mistake rather than TSM brilliance.
Pick: TSM
Odds: 2.20
Betting Site: Unikrn
Immortals vs. FlyQuest (Day Three)
Although we picked Immortals to lose against CLG, their chances of success against FlyQuest are a little different given the strength of schedule. As previously highlighted, Immortals are a team who punch up against better opposition and punch down against lesser foes. In this matchup, Xerxe will feel like he has something to prove and Revenge has been creeping up as a sneaky favorite for rookie of the year despite his team’s setbacks.
Obviously, with any upset pick there are some hurdles to overcome. Immortals’ bot lane has been impressive in certain instances, and in other lanes against better teams they have been absolutely dumpstered. The volatility for them is worse than Dogecoin, but there’s reason enough to HODL for this game given the topsy turvy performances so far from FlyQuest this split too.
Pick: Immortals
Odds: 2.21
Betting Site: Winners.bet
Team Liquid vs. Cloud9 (Day Three)
The blockbuster matchup of the weekend. Team Liquid versus Cloud9 features an LCS lock-in Finals rematch but somehow, C9 are coming into this game as the hot button team because of their record. When looking at C9’s path to victory, look no further than Blaber. In many games, his plays have single-handedly won them the laning phase in one or two moves. His four-player-of-the-game performances so far is no exaggeration to the level of impact he’s had for his team.
However, Team Liquid have proven they are an organization of master tacticians. With how much hype Blaber has gotten this past week and the plethora of highlights that accompanied those plays, it will be interesting to see what picks are taken and banned away in this encounter. The odds are dead even despite their records because Team Liquid are a roster that play to their opponents level. C9 have been riding a hot streak, and that air of confidence just might be enough to get their spirits high enough for a victory over their rival.
Pick: Cloud 9
Odds: 1.90
Betting Site: GG.bet
