(+575) MAD Lions v Damwon Gaming (-1100)

(-285) Gen.G v Cloud9 (+210)

The next two slates will have matchups between an Eastern team versus a Western team. These regional clashes set up some important questions about how big is the gap actually between the historically dominant LCK teams and the resurgent LEC and LCS teams. We have tournament favorites looking to remind MAD who is the best in the world with a second series victory over the Spanish team in a year. Meanwhile, Gen.G broke NA’s heart by bouncing Team Liquid in the group stage and are looking to break some hearts by sending the miracle kids in Cloud9 home. So many stars, so many matchups to exploit. Let’s dive in!

Game #1: MAD Lions v Damwon Gaming

Cann’s Pick: Damwon Gaming (3-1)

Game #2: Gen.G v Cloud9

Cann’s Pick: Cloud9 (3-2)
 


Captain

Favorite: Ghost (DWG: $11,400) I feel a little gaslit putting this pick as the favorite due to the narrative Ghost has allowed to be written about him over the last few years. He normally is described as a bit of a game manager for DWG and mostly capitalizes on the pressure that Canyon and ShowMaker create. In the World’s Group Stage we saw Ghost come into his own. He had the third most kills among players on the board (32) and limited his deaths to 11 in 8 games. I think with the volatility of the MAD Lions bot lane, Ghost should be able to play safe enough not to be caught easily by Kaiser and Carzzy but skilled enough to continue to make the plays we have seen thus far. 

Value Pick: Humanoid (MAD: $10,200)

 

Top Lane

Favorite: Khan (DWG: $6,600) I am not making this pick because I think there is a huge skill/perfomance gap between Khan and MAD’s top laner (Armut), in fact I think Armut may be more technically skilled. I think the issue for MAD here will be the fact that you can draft Armut into champions he is bad at. Ban Wukong, increase your chances of beating MAD by a lot. I love draft differences being a reason to pick a player because it feel so much more control in getting a positive point return on the pick.   

Value Pick: Fudge (C9: $6,200)


Jungle

Favorite: Canyon (DWG: $7,000) I could see a statistical case for skipping on Canyon. He has the least amount of kills among Junglers on the slate (14) but he also played two less games than both Elyoya and Clid and has 8 less deaths than Blaber (9 versus 17). DWG is in a completely different place than when they were in during the Mid-Season Invitational when the MAD Lions and his control over the map gives him an edge over the chaotic playstyle of the MAD Lions. Canyon will pick on the losing lanes of MAD Lions and I expect to see a pretty rapid spike of both kills and assists for Canyon. 

Value Pick: Clid (GEN: $6,800) 


Mid Lane

Favorite: Bdd (GEN: $7,200) It would be almost criminal not to put Bdd in this spot. He is aggressive and finds such creative ways to pick up kills. He had an absolute clinic against Team Liquid while playing Zoe and has racked up 36 kills in 8 games. Perkz is a scary lane opponent but he has been heavily restricted at times, with a lot of those restrictions coming from really questionable picks for such a skillful player. I think this series goes the distance and Bdd racks up huge numbers along the way.  

Value Pick: Humanoid (MAD: $6,800)   


ADC

Favorite: Carzzy (MAD: $7,200) Outside of the clear favorite in this position (Ghost) , Crazy has the highest upside. Ruler and Zven both have games where they are completely silent for their team. Carzzy does have 24 deaths, but those deaths are less impactful when you are not in the captain role, which is why I love Carzzy here. 31 kills in 8 games and the leader among ADCs on the slate with 48 assists. He is active, self sufficient, and fears no one. You need that type of player when you are going up against the World’s best. 

Value Pick: Zven (C9: $7,00) 


Support

Favorite: Life (GEN: $5,600) Life is statistically one of the strongest supports in the whole tournament. In 8 games he racked up 11 kills and 74 assists. He gets involved and averages 70% team kill participation which could pay huge dividends in a series like this, because of how many kills and deaths both teams will put up. In a series that should go 5 games, expect an absolute blood bath across every game.   

Value Pick: Kaiser (MAD: $5,200) 


Team

Favorite:  Damwon Gaming ($5,200) Don’t overcomplicate this. The MAD Lions should make it a tough series, but this tournament has come down to the question of who can legitimately challenge DWG and the most probable answer is no one. This match will be an amazing way to start your Sunday, do not miss it.

Value Pick: Kaiser (MAD: $5,200) 


Example Lineup

Captain (x1.5): Ghost ($11,400)

Alternate: Perkz ($10,500)

Top: Fudge ($6,200)

Jungle: Blaber ($6,600)

Alternate: Clid ($6,800)
Mid: ShowMaker ($7,400)

ADC: Zven ($7,000)

Alternate: Carzzy ($7,200)

Support: Kaiser ($5,200)

Team: DWG KIA ($5,600)