(-550) GenG Esports v Liiv Sandbox (+350)

(-2500) Royal Never Give Up v Rogue Warriors (+1000)

(-285) T1 v Nongshim RedForce (+210)

(-285) EDward Gaming v Suning Gaming (+210)

Thursday’s LPL and LCK features two one sided match-ups between the current best team in the LCK in GenG versus Liiv Sandbox, a team that’s mostly been mid-tier but with some surprises. RNG vs RW will likely go the way of RNG, although the team has been shaky lately; likewise with T1 versus the upstart NRF. EDward looks to crush the weakened Suning; who have been an underwhelming team this season after a surprise run to the World Championship grand finals.

Captain

Bdd ($10,500)

While the other dynasties of the LCK have crumbled, GenG’s has stood strong; even T1’s years have receded and they stand as a 4th place team approximately, DK’s fate is uncertain. Ruler, Bdd, amongst others have preserved the glory of the Samsung dynasty. He’s a consistently top tier mid laner in the LCK, even on the failing KT Rolster in 2019. His opponent on Thursday is easy, Liiv Sandbox is a team with an upstart bottom lane but a weak top side, FATE is one of the lower tier mid laners in the league. Scout vs Angel will be a wash in Scout’s favor too, so you can pick him up now, but you’ll see him later in the list.

Alternatives to consider: Scout ($11,100)

Top Lane

Xiaohu ($7,000)

8917 is one of the weakest top laners in the league; the only issue is Xiaohu hasn’t looked to be in top form lately. However, he’s still a strong enough laner and should face no issue against Rogue Warriors, the only question worth asking is “is Xiaohu worth $7,000?” In my opinion, yes and no. The match-up is certainly worth the money; especially since Summit in the past has been capable of being a very good top laner, although if you have an idea for how to spend that extra $800, I recommend you to take Rascal, the most underrated top laner this year in the LCK. I’d argue he is currently the absolute best top laner right now in the LCK, not facing pressure from anyone else; aside from maybe Kiin on a good day.

Alternatives to consider: Rascal ($6,200)

Jungle

Wei ($7,400)

I’m begging for RNG to stop playing Rumble. Wei should be able to stomp out Icecoke with ease; RW has lost to way weaker teams than RNG, but it’s clear that the changes to what was once one of Wei’s best champions has impacted him hard. RNG is currently playing catch-up, but it’s only a matter of time until they supersede the teams “in front” of them like LNG. This is a great match-up with only a little doubt cast onto it due to RNG’s current form. For a more stable choice at a much lower price, you could consider Cuzz, and reinvest that $1000 elsewhere. Cuzz’s opponent in Croco is a weak jungler who should be exploited by GenG.

Alternatives to consider: Clid ($6,400)

Mid Lane

Scout ($7,400)

While I think BDD is the strongest option for middle lane on the day, I think Scout is a close 2nd with Cryin as a distant 3rd. Scout is a strong team fighter who can have a few issues in the laning phase, but stylistically he has an amazing match-up into Angel, a player who is known to struggle in the laning phase even against middle tier teams. Cryin isn’t a bad choice either, but I think he’s expensive, combined with Forge’s frequency to be harder to punish relative to other RW offerings makes me prefer to avoid the RNG mid laner.

Alternatives to consider: Cryin ($7,800)

ADC

Viper ($7,400)

EDG’s imported ADC stands as one of the best- if not the best- in the entire league. While LNG is technically #1, EDG hasn’t lost a match either yet, and Viper has been delivering game after game. His opponent in Huanfeng is solid, but Meiko and Viper as a bottom lane duo is far superior relative to Huanfeng and ON. The only other ADC I’d consider taking is Ruler due to his decreased price, and “MVP” status alongside Bdd. He gets a large share of resources, but Viper is still a great choice.

Alternatives to consider: Ruler ($7,200)

Support

Life ($5,200)

Between Life, Ming, and Meiko I view the choice as relatively superfluous; each support is really good, with Life being the weakest- but cheapest, of the 3. If there is a role to go cheap on, it’s definitely support; one advantage Life does hold though, is he always has low deaths which allows you to preserve the points you keep with him, however, I would recommend Meiko for a secondary option, since EDG has played with Fasting Senna before, and it may be possible to scrape some extra points by selecting him. Likewise, this is a reason to select Ruler over Viper.

Alternatives to consider: Meiko ($5,600)

Team

EDward Gaming ($5,000)

EDG is a lot better than Suning, if you have some extra money, I’d recommend upgrading to GenG, but I’m comfortable in this option; EDG is undefeated in the LPL for good reason. They’re an exceptionally well rounded team, relative to Suning which has relatively weak solo lanes. GenG is a great choice, and in the running for winning the entire LCK.

Alternatives to consider: GenG ($5,400)

Stacks

Bdd & Rascal

GenG solo laners are the most underrated part of their team, often overshadowed by Ruler. Bdd has a tradition of success though, and Rascal has found great form this season, after a decent period of mediocrity across 2020. This can be the year of GenG if they keep it up, just as 2020 was the year of Damwon.

Viper & Meiko

EDG’s bottom lane is strong to be sure, and they function very well together. Meiko is EDG’s franchise player; being on the squad since 2014 and for good reason, he’s consistently been a top tier support and has represented the region well in international competitions for years, picking up LPL’s first international title in 2015 with the squad. Viper is a young star, and together they make a powerful- if not the strongest- bottom lane in the LPL.

Xiaohu & Wei

RNG’s top side grants me cautious optimism. They’ve been the best just a few months earlier, but recent performances have cast a shade of doubt on their continued success. However, their weak opponents in Rogue Warriors gives them the perfect opportunity to bounce back and deliver the success they’ve been known for in the past.

Top Picks: Bdd, Wei, Scout

Three different teams cross the top picks, the two mid laners between EDG and GenG have a strong history of success, with Bdd having a dynasty at home with GenG, whereas the Korean Scout went abroad to build his career in China; both are fantastic mid laners and are assured the win on Thursday. Wei is still a young jungler, but he’s been just what RNG has needed to recapture their former success, and Icecoke holds nothing to the success he’s had in his short career.

Top Value: Rascal, Ruler, Viper

Aside from Ruler, these are the “forgotten” players of their roles. Viper was known to be amazing for a long time, but a weak 2020 cast doubts on his actual talent, until his 2021 resurgence in China. Rascal came into the league with an uncertain future, since his 2020 was also weak, until he progressively improved and smashed each top laner, only falling short to Khan at the end of spring. Ruler is one of the best ADCs- if not the best- in the entire league, holding the 2017 world championship title, his continued success is remarkable and worth including on your squad.