Mid-Season Invitational 2022: Knockout Stage Odds, Tips and Analysis
The action in Busan finally moves on from best of one play to the preferred best of five format as four of the best teams from four different regions: China, South Korea, North America and Europe, will now battle it out in the playoffs stage of the MSI starting Friday, May 27.
Can any team stop the T1 train? Will it be an all-Asian final? We’re here to speak about some LoL predictions and break down the esports bets for both playoffs matches.
Royal Never Give Up vs Evil Geniuses
Odds: RNG 1.02 / Evil Geniuses 10.00 at Betway Esports
When: May 27, 2022 at 10:00 CEST
Watch Live: https://www.twitch.tv/riotgames
It’s time for the playoffs of MSI 2022 in Busan. After five days of intense action, decided by best-of-ones in the Rumble Stage, TNG, T1, G2 and EG have made it through to the playoffs. RNG emerged toppers, which meant they had the advantage of choosing their semi-final opponent. They went for the North American franchise EG, having had the advantage of not only knowing their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, but also carry the confidence of having beaten then convincingly twice in the Rumble stage.
This coupled with their own form across the tournament makes RNG the overwhelming favourites going into this match. EG have to overcome mind numbing odds to actually win – 1 USD, for example, could give you 10X returns. Bigger the amount, bigger the profits. Should they win, of course. Will they? At the moment, go for the in-form and well-oiled RNG to continue their bull run. They have lost just two games all tournament, with Gala and Xiaohu in incredible form.
Can EG Pull Off Another Upset Like They Did Against T1?
The stats paint a pretty bleak story as far as EG’s chances go, but best-of-fives have a completely different dynamic to it, as compared to BO1. Teams look to try and stay in the contest and force mistakes from the opponents instead of going out gung-ho aggressive and risk getting killed early on. You go back to the playoffs of the LCS Spring Split to understand this pattern: EG did exceedingly well when the games turned into BO5, so it’s almost as if something about the format actually frees them up to play better.
That said, you can’t deny that EG have struggled all tournament – while they’ve beaten easier opponents who are a rung lower than them, they failed to string together any momentum against the stronger sides like G2 in the group stages. They put up an excellent show against T1, which was a massive upset given the team’s record-breaking season, so you can’t really put it past them. What they’ve lacked so far is consistency, and in the playoffs that factor could become increasingly the difference.
Their gameplay and drafting has gotten better as the tournament has progressed, so it’s not like all is lost. In terms of Mid Season Invitational betting, we would highly recommend staying away from betting on EG despite these astronomical odds.
T1 vs G2
LoL Odds: T1 1.15 / G2 4.75 at Betway Esports
When: May 28, 2022 at 10:00 CEST
Watch Live: https://www.twitch.tv/riotgames
This is a traditional rivalry that has gained steam over the years. At MSI 2019, G1 and T1 played a nail-biter of a semi-final in a five-setter that G2 eventually won en route to the title win. In the same year, the sides met at the World Championship semifinal in Madrid, where it ended in a similar result. Traditionally, G2 have tended to bring their best game to the fore while playing the might of T1. This time around, you’d think the contest is more even, with both sides enjoying a 1-1 head-to-head at the Rumble stage of the competition.
Even so, T1 appears to be the punter’s picks despite how narrow the gulf is between both sides. That said, if there is one game where you want to punt on the team against the odds, this is it. G2 are no less inferior and have equal pedigree irrespective of what the odds say. There is nothing to suggest they’re going down without a fight. So go ahead, this is your chance to make a brave prediction to maximise your returns should you go the G2 way. So what’s not to get excited about the subplot that pits two of the greatest mid-laners against each other?
The Fascinating Subplots
It’s no secret that T1 are an intimidating outfit. Lee ‘Faker’ Sang-Hyeok has another opportunity to add another chapter to his illustrious career by taking his team to the final. At thre LCK Spring Split, once they didn’t drop a single game, they were always going to be the overwhelming favourites coming into MSI 2022. Both sides made it out of the groups with an all-win record, but G2’s cracks started to widen in the rumble stage where they lost four games to teams who they would beat most times.
At the same time, T1 looked a tad shaky, their plans a bit wonky, a far cry to the side that romped to an 18-0 record in the regular split. And so when two flawed teams face off, it promises to be a thriller. All said, T1 have limped into the semifinals battered and bruised, the triumphant start to MSI 2022 seeming a little distant. Can they tear down their old templates and get back to their dominating best?
That’s the question everyone has on their minds. Whichever way it goes, don’t miss out Faker v Caps and Victor ‘Flakked’ Lirola v Lee ‘Gumayusi’ Min-hyeong. These are two fascinating subplots that could decide the game.
