(+150) SK Gaming v FC Schalke 04 (-190)
(-425) MAD Lions v exceL eSports (+280)
(-225) Rogue v Misfits (+170)
(EVEN) Team Vitality v Fnatic (-130)
(-475) G2 Esports v Astralis (+315)
The first weekend of the LEC proved to be as full of action as was expected. Teams like Misfits and Astralis have shocked the LEC with their first weekend performances (going 3-0 and 2-1 respectively). On the other hand we saw the rebuilt teams in SK Gaming, Team Vitality, and Fnatic all struggle in their first weekend. There are a ton of favorites on this slate and great opportunities for some players to shine. So let’s dive in!
Game #1 SK Gaming v FC Schalke 04
Cann’s Pick: SK Gaming
Game #2: MAD Lions v exceL eSports
Cann’s Pick: MAD Lions
Game #3: Rogue v Misfits
Cann’s Pick: Rogue
Game #4: Team Vitality v Fnatic
Cann’s Pick: Team Vitality
Game #5: G2 Esports v Astralis
Cann’s Pick: G2 Esports
Captain
Favorite: Humanoid (MAD: $11,400) Currently 3rd in kills in the LEC, I think Humanoid has a lot to prove with a big performance over XL on Friday. Humanoid has always been known as a great control mage player but the meta is pushing mids to play more of the high damage assassin role. In his two Akali games last weekend he showed out dropping 11 kills, 13 assists, and only having two deaths. I love him into the struggling nukeduck on Friday.
Value Pick: Crownshot (VIT: $10,200)
Top Lane
Favorite: BrokenBlade (S04: $6,400) BrokenBlade is the only hope for S04. He has 9 kills in 3 games and he absolutely put Wunder in his back pocket in their win over G2. BB was one of the top in his position when he was on TSM in the LCS but they didn’t fully utilize him as the carry he is. S04 have no other carries so they HAVE to utilize him. I think he makes it hard for SK to win on Friday with a flashy performance top.
Value Pick: Whiteknight (AST: $5,400)
Jungle
Favorite: Elyoya (MAD: $7,400) Outside of Bwipo, Elyoya has the most kills in the LEC for junglers at 12 (Bwipo has 13). The difference between the two? Bwipo has 5 more deaths in the same amount of games (7 to 12). Elyoya had rougher points at MSI but him keeping Canyon in check for most of their 5 game series has really impressed me and is the best jungler in the LEC in my book.
Value Pick: Inspired (RGE: $6,800)
Mid Lane
Favorite: Larssen (RGE: $7,400) I would stake my professionalism on my take that I think Larssen is the best mid laner in the LEC. While Caps is more technically skilled and can rack up absurd numbers, there is something to be said for how much Rogue plays around their mid laner. He embodies consistency and the ability to play any lane out and not lose. I think while Misfits seem very strong, Vetheo is just not on the same level as Larssen. Decent price tag too for one of the best mid laners in the league.
Value Pick: LIDER (VIT: $6,600)
ADC
Favorite: Rekkles (G2: $8,200) I don’t normally like spending over $8,000 on any role, Rekkles could be an exception. He has a 13 KDA with 13 kills and 13 assists in 3 games (average of just over 4 in each category in each game). This is all with G2 looking like they are having a slower start than normal. I would imagine G2 continues to focus on playing through Rekkles and Caps and we have seen both the highs and lows of Astralis in week 1.
Value Pick: Upset (FNC: $7,400)
Support
Favorite: Kaiser (MAD: $6,400) I don’t necessarily recommend dropping this much on a support. I usually make the cut off around $5,800 and anything over that would need to be a guaranteed Kaiser/Wu-Kong/Support game where he dropped 10+ kills in a game. For those new to LoL, that does NOT happen often. So while Kaiser will no doubt drop quite a few points in this matchup (XL’s bot lane is probably weakest link… especially denyk) it may just be a touch too expensive.
Value Pick: Trymbi (RGE: $5,600)
Team
Favorite: MAD Lions ($5,400) There is a real chance that either Rogue or G2 get upset on Saturday. Now knowling some of my LEC luck, it’ll pan out and be either SK or MAD but there is something about those two teams and their opponents that has me worried. MAD dropped a game to G2 in the opening weekend (who is their kryptonite of sorts) and then absolutely undid Fnatic and Astralis in the other two games. I expect a great weekend from the reigning LEC champions and that starts with a definitive win over XL.
Value Pick: SK Gaming ($4,200)
Cann’s Example Lineup
Captain (x1.5): Humanoid ($11,400)
Alternate: hans sama ($11,400)
Top: BrokenBlade ($6,400)
Jungle: Elyoya ($7,400)
Alternate: Inspired ($6,800)
Mid: Larssen ($7,400)
ADC: Crownshot ($6,800)
Alternate: Jezu ($6,600)
Support: Trymbi ($5,600)
Team: Rogue ($5,000)