LCS Spring Season Week #5 Top Picks and Predictions
Published: Mar 4, 2021 - Last Updated: Mar 5, 2021
Heading into Week #5 of the LCS, Cloud 9’s first-place finish is all but confirmed, while CLG and Golden Guardians sit firmly at the bottom of the rankings. All eyes are set on the middle of the table as Team Liquid, Evil Geniuses, and Dignitas fight for their spot at the Mid-Season Invitational.
Immortals vs. CLG (Day One)
If you haven’t noticed a trend by now, you can tell we are treating CLG as our own little version of Dogecoin, and after last week it’s safe to say we can pump it up another round. CLG are much better than their 2-10 record suggests, and their ability to gain early game leads is the critical factory in this game.
Immortals have shown they are a resilient side but they also don’t know how to properly play from behind. This is natural for the territory they find themselves in with one veteran and four rookies on their roster. CLG is the exact opposite with five grizzled veterans who know what it takes to seek out advantages on the rift.
Last week Smoothie delivered a crazy performance as CLG resurged to the top against Dignitas. Something tells us lighting will strike twice for this teams chances and the beginning of the CLG 1-10 power spike will continue into this week of LCS.
Pick: CLG
Odds: 1.85
Betting Site: GG.bet
100 Thieves vs. TSM (Day Two)
In a mouthwatering top-of-the-table clash, both 100 Thieves and TSM have something to prove as they look to take sole possession of second place with a victory on Saturday. TSM are the favorites in this matchup considering their recent run, where 100T have faltered behind and looked average against lesser foes.
Regardless of individual game-by-game performances, these teams are a lot closer than the rankings would suggest, which makes deciding a winner that much more difficult. Huni vs. Ssumday is a classic top lane matchup, and Jungler focus will no doubt be put heavily on this side of the map as they both look to get their top laners in a winning position.
Pick: 100 Thieves
Odds: 1.83
Betting Site: Unikrn
Cloud9 vs. Team Liquid (Day Two)
Another behemoth matchup on Saturday, without the same implications at the top of the table. Team Liquid have looked out of sorts recently, dropping games to smaller teams and looking downright average even in their wins. Despite all those shortcomings, they still possess the swagger of an LCS lock-in champion and that will be necessary for victory in the encounter.
For all intents and purposes, Cloud9 has been unleashed in recent weeks. Most of that is to the credit of Perkz who has come to North America and delivered on his promises of hype and stability to the league. However, the LCS lock-in finals showed us it takes more than a one-man show to secure a title. In this best-of-one setting, expect TL to make an upset simply because they need to turn up the heat for their playoff implications.
Pick: Team Liquid
Odds: 1.96
Betting Site: Winners.bet
Dignitas vs. Evil Geniuses
It wouldn’t be NA Hot Picks without at least one Dignitas hitter on the list, and this is the exact game to punch your ticket. Dignitas have been the revelation of NA with their unique way of exacting advantages and playing as a team greater than the sum of their parts.
Evil Geniuses provide the perfect foil for an upset due to their inconsistent results and utterly baffling manner of losing games as well. When they are ahead and operating at full speed; the strength of EG is impenetrable. But if they get offset and put onto their back foot, the game completely changes for EG and this is where Dignitas can find the openings for victory.
Pick: Dignitas
Odds: 2.23
Betting Site: GG.bet
Team Liquid vs. CLG
We know what you’re thinking … Have they gone mad? There’s no way they can possibly win this series let alone two games in one weekend? The answer to how the riddle will be solved is two-fold, revenge and payback.
BOTH Broxah and Pobelter are Team Liquid castaways who will be looking to settle the score with their former employer this weekend. Since their return to the league, the CLG Jung-mid duo has had a legitimate chip on their shoulder considering Pobelter’s benching this year and Broxah’s insane lack of faith from the community since his jump to North America.
We mentioned previously the CLG 1-10 power spike, but this game has a lot more history between these sides that can explain a little more nuanced as to how these teams perform.
Pick: CLG
Odds: 4.60
Betting Site: Unikrn
