After the first day of the Rumble Stage, much of the discussion is surrounding the European representatives. G2’s Day 1 matches were slotted against the titans of the LCK (T1 Esports) and the LPL (Royal Never Give Up). Most people believed that going 1-1 would be their best case scenario and going 0-2 was the most likely outcome. Instead, they displayed high amounts of individual skill and macro knowledge. G2 going 2-0 on day 1 has set them atop the pack with easier matches in front of them for day 2. Day two also brings us the highly anticipated match up between SKT and RNG, a potential finals matchup. A lot to break down and tons of players to choose from, let’s dive in!

 


League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational 

 

(-375) G2 Esports v Evil Geniuses (+270)

(-900) Royal Never Give Up v PSG Talon (+575)

(-5000) T1 Esports v Saigon Buffalo (+1400)

(+111) PSG Talon v Evil Geniuses (-141)

(+138) Royal Never Give Up v T1 Esports (-179)

(+425) Saigon Buffalo v G2 Esports (-650)

 

LoL DFS Fantasy Value Breakdown

Game #1: G2 Esports v Evil Geniuses

Game Breakdown: This feels like a trap game for G2 Esports. They are currently 10-0 in the tournament and have beaten EG all 4 previous meetings. With mistakes made in 2 of the 4 matches from the initial round robin, there was a reality where EG picked up at least one of those games. I think the side lanes of G2 (more specifically the situational play out of their rookie ADC, Flaked) have had less than stellar moments and EG will need to capitalize. The biggest problem? The EG mid laner (jojopyin) is completely outclassed by G2’s Caps and EG’s ADC (Danny) cannot seem to win lane consistently enough to be a reliable win condition. 

Favorite Picks: Caps (G2: $11,400/$7,600), Flakked (G2: $7,600), G2 Esports ($5,200)

Value Picks: Inspired (EG: $6,600), Impact (EG: $6,000)

Cann’s Match Pick: G2 Esports  

 

Game #2: Royal Never Give Up v PSG Talon

Game Breakdown: You almost have to feel bad for PSG Talon here because it is almost assuredly an 0-3 start for them in this round. RNG had a rough showing against G2 and had not played the cleanest against EG on Friday. I think they readjust and find a better form for the second day of matches, specifically for Xiaohu. I didn’t get to see as much of that Xiaohu handprint in the first two games of the Rumble Round. He wasn’t able to move around the map as much and I think that hurt RNG in their G2 match. I did like the draft by RNG in their match against EG and they should look for a more macro comp against PSG. PSG hasn’t had great production out of their top laner, Hanab but Unified (ADC) has been pretty respectable. They will need to lean heavily into their bottom lane on day 2 to keep pace with the other teams. 

Favorite Picks: Wei (RNG: $7,000), Xiaohu (RNG: $7,200), Bin (RNG: $6,200)

Value Picks: Bay (PSG: $6,600)

Cann’s Match Pick: Royal Never Give Up  

 

Game #3: T1 Esports v Saigon Buffalo 

Game Breakdown: This should be a case of T1’s superior understanding of the map coming in as a deciding factor in this matchup. SGB have been pretty fun to watch but have lacked consistency in building on leads. They love fighting and their ADC (Shogun) has shown some glimpses of skill on aggressive champions. The problem with this is that they need to translate this into clear end game win conditions. When SKT draft and play out the early game, they are building towards something. Oner and Faker support the side lanes, helping the team build toward a unified goal. Gumayusi had some weak moments in T1’s loss to G2 that I just don’t see happening. The biggest difference will be the fact that SGB’s Froggy is not G2’s Caps, meaning far less risk in the late game. 

Favorite Picks: Gumayusi (T1: $8,000), Keria (T1: $5,800), Oner (T1: $7,200)

Value Picks: Froggy (SGB: $6,400)

Cann’s Match Pick: T1 Esports  

 

Game #4: PSG Talon v Evil Geniuses

Game Breakdown: PSG Talon will need the Evil Geniuses to have another bad draft in this matchup to increase the likelihood of an upset. If you look at the quality of play between the two teams, EG’s top laner (Impact) and jungler (Inspired) have been performing at a really high level throughout the tournament and will negate any deficits EG has in the bottom lane. Unified won’t be able to play out the late game teamfights with how Impact and Inspired have been attacking teamfights. Both players have found interesting angles into the backline of opposing teams throughout the tournament and this should be EG’s goal in this matchup. Surviving the early game will minimize losses in the middle/bottom lanes and allow the veteran players to carry the late game. 

Cann’s Match Pick: Evil Geniuses  
 

Game #5: Royal Never Give Up v T1 Esports

Game Breakdown: Even with both teams dropping their match to G2 on day 1 of this stage; these have to be the favorites for teams to end up in the finals. Both of these teams have a wealth of international experience now and we see how valuable that is. The difference here feels like it will be how the bottom lane plays out. If the T1 bottom lane of Keria/Gumayusi will need to create a tremendous amount of pressure against RNG’s Gala/Ming. RNG’s bottom lane tend to play slower and wait to get enough help from Wei and Xiaohu. T1 will put pressure in the early game and not let Gala comfortably pick up gold/experience for the late game. Unfortunately we have seen T1 struggle to use Faker in a way to escalate the game and this will allow RNG to win late game fights in this matchup. 

Cann’s Match Pick: Royal Never Give Up  

 

Game #6: Saigon Buffalo v G2 Esports 

Game Breakdown: G2 will win this through their mid laner, Caps. This European superstar has been performing at such a high level that even LEC fans have been surprised. He has an 8.0+ KDA and averaging over 300 gold at 10 minutes advantage over his opponents. SGB tend to miss out on early game gold and experience because they are so focused on fighting. Teams who throw too much into constant skirmishing can find early advantages but will get outpaced if their opponents are making really smart mid-game decisions. Players like Flakked and BrokenBlade will be able to get experience and gold, regardless of what SGB throws at them in the early game. 

Cann’s Match Pick: G2 Esports  


 

Cann’s Example Lineup

DraftKings Classic - $50,000 Salary Cap

 

Captain (x1.5): Caps (G2: $11,400)

Alternate: Inspired (EG: $9,900)

Top:  BrokenBlade (G2: $6,400)

Alternate: bin (RNG: $6,400)

Jungle: Inspired (EG: $6,600)

Mid: Xiaohu (RNG: $7,200)

ADC: Danny (EG: $7,400)

Support: Targamas (G2: $5,400)

Team: Royal Never Give Up ($4,800)

 

 

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