This article is part of our DraftKings League of Legends series.
DraftKings LoL: IEM Gyeonggi Day 1
Back to back weeks of League of Legends action have put a little pep into the offseason. IEM Gyeonggi starts tonight with Group A play and Draftkings includes the first two matches of the group in their offerings on Day 1. Those matchups are Samsung vs. Vega Squadron and J Team vs. Immortals. Immortals and Samsung are heavily favored, which makes roster construction hard. As a result, tournaments is where you should focus with only four teams in play. Since it's impossible to use only IMT and SSG players, J Team and SSG are my focus. Immortals has four out of the five lineup spots filled with new members -- how many times have we seen new lineups struggle at events like IEM when they haven't had time to gel yet? That will also be playing into my picks for Day 1.
Top Lane: CuVee (SSG vs. VEGA, $7,700)/Morning (JT vs. IMT, $5,500
CuVee and Samsung are massive favorites on the day and are priced as such. CuVee proved at Worlds to be an adept user of teleport and excellent teamfighter. I'd expect that to continue in an easy win tonight. Morning is cheap and is coming off a strong season in the LMS. He is a proficient tank player and will need to set up kills in teamfights if J Team are to upset Immortals.
Jungle: Achie (JT vs. IMT, $5,200)
Achie is playing out of position as he's usually a mid laner. This could be good as he may pull out a more carry-oriented style from the jungle. Sure it could backfire, but using this many J Team members is already risky.
Middle Lane: Crown (SSG vs. Vega, $8,500)
I'm paying up for Samsung's carries as I think there is no way they lose this matchup against Vega. Crown was excellent in Samsung's run to the World Finals and should have no trouble in an easy matchup on Day 1 of IEM. If he gets on Viktor watch out.
ADC: Ruler (SSG vs. Vega, $8,500)/Bebe (JT vs. IMT, $6,400)
Like Crown, Ruler is in too good of a situation to pass up. Not much needs to be said as he should help lead SSG to a stomp. Bebe is probably the one member of J Team people know well, as he's a former World Champion and multiple-time LMS All-Star pick. Bebe is the best marksman from the LMS and will need to step up and carry for J Team if they upset Immortals. His price is very cheap for his potential upside.
Support: Jay (JT vs. IMT, $4,400)
Pairing Jay with the J Team stack to afford the big name carries from Samsung. It's the upset play that keeps us using J Team members and Jay has a definite chance at 10+ assists in a win.
Team: J Team vs. Immortals ($3,700)
It seems unlikely that J Team actually pull off a win, but they have a much better chance than Vega Squadron against the second-place team from Worlds 2016. Immortals will be fielding a new lineup that will take time to gel, while J Team are using most of their same roster from the past year in the LMS. While it seems hard to fathom, an upset certainly could happen and pay us off massively if it does.
