The First LoL Worlds 2019 Semifinal will be an All-Chinese Affair
Published: Oct 29, 2019 - Last Updated: Apr 30, 2024
For the first time since the start of the League of Legends World Championship 2019, bookmakers post LoL Worlds betting odds crediting a Chinese team with the best chance to lift the trophy. That’s because SKT was pit against G2 Esports in the second semifinal, which guarantees a place in the final act of the competition for a Chinese squad. Regardless of who qualifies to the ultimate confrontation in Paris, the team from China will start as slight underdog. For the time being, Invictus Gaming and FunPlus Phoenix must focus on the task at hand and outshine a familiar foe in a best-of-five series.
Error-Prone Invictus Gaming relies on Individual Talent
Invictus Gaming has barely qualified to the LoL Worlds 2019, which gives them the chance to defend the trophy won last year. The reigning champions have started the campaign hesitantly but have greatly improved their game in the playoffs. Now they seem capable of winning back-to-back matches and set up an epic confrontation with either SKT or G2 Esports. They have an experienced team, but two players stand out from the crowd and both of them are South Koreans.
Rookie is one of the best mid-laners in the world and the same can be said about TheShy on top lane, which explains the odds of 7/10 at Betway Esports.
All the FunPlus Phoenix Eggs are in the Doinb Basket
FunPlus Phoenix aren’t as experienced as their opponents and this is one of the youngest teams at the LoL Worlds 2019. What they lack in experience, the Chinese compensate through sheer talent and mechanical prowess. This team has dominated the domestic championship and has satiated several records during the LPL Summer Split.
After a hesitant start during the group stage, they have returned to their winning ways and made short work of Fnatic in the quarterfinals. They also rely on two talented South Koreans on mid-lane and top-lane, where Doinb and GimGoon usually dominate opponents. FunPlus Phoenix have greatly improved their position in the LoL Worlds power rankings and are priced at 11/10 to win by ArcaneBet.
Place your bets with ArcaneBet
Invictus are Favourites for the First Time
Invictus Gaming have some certain advantages over their younger counterparts, including a better head to head record. They have won three out of four matches so far, including the last series and have more experience at this level in international tournaments. Their League of Legends Worlds schedule at the LoL Worlds 2019 was also slightly more difficult, which justifies their second place in Group D.
A quick glance at the four quarterfinals will highlight the fact that all the matches have ended with the same score line 3:1. In this semifinal, there is a good chance for the series to go the distance and the winner to be decided at the end of a decisive match. If things go this far, Invictus Gaming should prevail, but if one team is capable of winning games straight matches, then this has to be FunPlus Phoenix.
Images courtesy of LoL Esports
