This article is part of our DraftKings League of Legends series.
DraftKings LoL: Thursday Cheat Sheet
The LCS is back! With best-of-two series coming to Europe and split schedules across multiple streams we begin the final stretch to Worlds 2016. Europe once again looks like a strong region with a top five teams in G2, Fnatic, H2K, Vitality, and Origen. With player movement and some strong roster upgrades for teams like G2 and Fnatic it should be an exciting split. Let's get into Thursday's picks. Fnatic, H2K, G2, and Vitality are the favorites of the day, with UoL being a slight favorite over Schalke. Origen are the best underdogs of the day but with a tough matchup against G2 I'd be hesitant about using anyone from the team. As for the other four teams, they are heavy avoids, with only Schalke 04 looking slightly viable for use in tournaments.
Top Lane: Odoamne (H2K vs. ROC, $7,000)
I give Odoamne the nod over other players on the top teams because you basically know what you're going to get from him. He'll be on a tank, he'll go even or win his lane, and he'll make excellent teleport plays throughout the game. He's the go to option for cash games, but if you want to look elsewhere I think Kikis, Cabochard, and Gamsu are also good plays at the top, while Vizicsacsi provides good value at only $6,400. Top lane is a good spot to look for some value, so paying less for Kikis or Csacsi is a viable strategy Thursday.
Top Lane Player to Avoid: SoaZ (OG vs. G2, $6,000):
SoaZ is cheap, but I think this is a 2-0 type of game for G2. SoaZ played better in the playoffs for Origen, but he's coming off a terrible split overall. Origen should finish in a playoff spot, but today is not the day to look to use their players.
Jungle: Trick (G2 vs. OG, $6,300)
I'm sticking to my guns and making Trick an absolute must play when he's priced this cheap. Origen should present a challenge for G2, but I expect the defending champions to bounce back from their MSI disaster and get off to a quick start in the EU LCS. Zven and Mithy's move to G2 actually boosts Trick even higher.
Jungle Player to Avoid: Mightybear (VIT vs. SPY, $6,700):
Vitality should win this game, but I'm taking a wait and see approach on Mightybear. If you want to use him I think he should be fine, but I'm putting him in this category because I don't like telling you to avoid obvious players on the bottom four teams. Mightybear is priced higher than Trick and is only $100 cheaper than Jankos. I'd rather go with the known quantities on Thursday.
Middle Lane: Perkz (G2 vs. Origen, $7,300):
G2 are probably going to be the highest owned team on Thursday, so if you want to pivot from them in tournaments that's fine, but I think they're must plays in cash games. They are cheaper than they will be for most of the season and should bounce back nicely from their MSI disaster. Perkz showed last season he's an elite mid laner, dominating the tough European competition all season long. G2 have a point to prove and should start by beating Origen.
Middle Lane Player to Avoid: Exileh (UoL vs. S04, $7,200)
This is another wait and see for me on Thursday. UoL vs. S04 should be a close series and while I give the nod to UoL I want to see how Exileh does before using him. Fox presents a decent opponent in the mid lane to test where Exileh will fall among Europe's mid lane class on his season debut. With Perkz only being $100 more, try to pay up for the G2 carry.
ADC: Zven (G2 vs. OG, $7,400)
His first game on G2 is against his old team, so the narrative for a big game is already there. Zven and Mithy single handedly carried Origen through the regular season last year and the move to G2 is a pretty massive upgrade assuming they've had time to gel. In my opinion Zven is the best AD Carry across both LCS regions and is priced too cheap not to use Thursday.
ADC Player to Avoid: Steeelback (ROC vs. H2K, $6,400):
He's a high upside play, but I don't think this is the matchup to use him in. Don't get me wrong, I think Steeelback will present tremendous value if he is able to retain the same skill set he displayed with UoL. ROCCAT as a whole should be improved with a second carry to help Betsy, but H2K present too difficult of a matchup on Thursday.
Support: Hylissang (UoL vs. S04, $5,300)
If you can pay the extra $200 for Mithy then by all means he is the better play. As always though, I like to pay as little as possible for a support in a good situation hence the Hylissang recommendation. UoL should win this series and Hylissang has quietly been one of the better supports in the EU LCS over the past year, despite not receiving the credit some of the other supports do.
Support Player to Avoid:YellOwStaR (FNC vs. GIA, $6,200)
The return to Europe and Fnatic for YellOwStaR gets off to an easy start vs. a GIANTS! team that is destined for a relegation battle. I don't pay up for supports, especially in cash, so while YellOwStaR is an avoid for me, it's only based on price as he should score just fine.
Team: G2 vs. OG ($5,000):
G2 are cheap enough to consider using them in your team role today. I expect them to be fine against Origen and predict a 2-0. If you can't afford G2, UoL are the cheapest team I would use at $4,800.
