This article is part of our DraftKings League of Legends series.
GAMES (EDT)
- Saturday, 4:00 a.m: FunPlus Phoenix vs. EDward Gaming
- Sunday, 5:00 a.m: Invictus Gaming vs. Top Esports
EDG vs. FPX
EDG got gifted the series against RNG, who punted their drafts in Games 1 and 2. RNG had complete control in Game 2 and then lost a baron and lost a team fight that they should have taken instead of disengaging. Xiaohu and XLB looked horrible all series, another reason RNG couldn't close out games. I give props to Aodi and JunJia for stepping, but the inconsistency falls in their objective game after getting first blood. They lead the league in first blood but sometimes can't translate it to something bigger. When you have JunJia over extending, Hope gets caught out in team fights, like we saw Thursday. FPX lost a tough series against TES last matchup, but it was very close in Game 1 and even in Game 2, where FPX were losing in kills and dragons but had a gold lead with their tower control. I wasn't a fan of going rakan/mf when there isn't much to protect MF or even any engages to start team fights, so they were handicapped before the match started. FPX have one of the better objective rates in the league, which is a nightmare for EDG because when they fall behind in turrets they force fights in situations that loses them games. FPX are not a pushover in team fights, as three players on FPX (Tian, Doinb, Crisp) hold a 60-70
GAMES (EDT)
- Saturday, 4:00 a.m: FunPlus Phoenix vs. EDward Gaming
- Sunday, 5:00 a.m: Invictus Gaming vs. Top Esports
EDG vs. FPX
EDG got gifted the series against RNG, who punted their drafts in Games 1 and 2. RNG had complete control in Game 2 and then lost a baron and lost a team fight that they should have taken instead of disengaging. Xiaohu and XLB looked horrible all series, another reason RNG couldn't close out games. I give props to Aodi and JunJia for stepping, but the inconsistency falls in their objective game after getting first blood. They lead the league in first blood but sometimes can't translate it to something bigger. When you have JunJia over extending, Hope gets caught out in team fights, like we saw Thursday. FPX lost a tough series against TES last matchup, but it was very close in Game 1 and even in Game 2, where FPX were losing in kills and dragons but had a gold lead with their tower control. I wasn't a fan of going rakan/mf when there isn't much to protect MF or even any engages to start team fights, so they were handicapped before the match started. FPX have one of the better objective rates in the league, which is a nightmare for EDG because when they fall behind in turrets they force fights in situations that loses them games. FPX are not a pushover in team fights, as three players on FPX (Tian, Doinb, Crisp) hold a 60-70 percent KP, which tells you they are looking to fight, and looking to snowball from there.
Prediction: FPX 3-1
Bets: None
FPX Players to Target: Tian (JNG $7,000), Doinb (MID $7,600), LWX (ADC $7,800), Crisp (SUP $5,800)
IG vs. TES
TES looked good in one game, and that was the second game where they did everything right even with a bad comp. Some of their other comp they drafted are going to get ruined by better teams, and it was evident on how hard it was for them to win team fights. TES has been carried by Knight and JackeyLove because the other players have looked bad. Their next match is against IG and here are the lane for lane matchups:
TheShy > 369
Leyan
Knight = Rookie
Puff < Jackeylove
Southwind > Yuyanjia
The term "laning team" fits well with TES because they are getting resources through objectives and lane pressure, and IG is the most chaotic team for TES' style. WE and IG both play an aggressive early game where they will look for fights when they want to. The big difference is that Rookie is not Teacherma, and he won't let Knight get fed early. TheShy has been averaging a +20 Gold per second against other top laners, which is a major gap and the reason why he is one of the main carries; he should crush 369. IG's problem is playing through top lane, which in this meta can hurt you if the you can't kite out the enemy team. IG should take playoffs seriously and instead of playing through TheShy, I can see them playing through Rookie to mitigate Knight.
Prediction: IG 3-1
Bets: IG -1.5 (+125)
IG Players to Target: TheShy (TOP $6,200), Rookie (MID $7,200), Puff (ADC $7,600), Southwind (SUP $5,400)
