(+200) T1 v Damwon KIA (-275)

(-240) EDward Gaming v Gen.G (+180)

Worlds enters semi finals on Saturday, with three Korean representatives against the lone hero of the LPL: the champions in EDward Gaming. DK and EDG are expected to win, but there is sufficient opportunity for upsets and underrated players to steal the show, if you know what you’re looking for.

Captain

Canyon ($10,800)

In order to get all of the players you want, it’s best to go for a captain in a lower price role like jungle: Canyon and Showmaker are the two superstars of Damwon KIA, who are likely to triumph over T1 in the semi finals. T1 has looked up across the year, but their weaker top side (alongside their stronger mid laner in Showmaker versus Faker) will allow DK to find the victory; with Canyon utilizing the mid lane advantage to secure the win. An alternative is the underrated ADC in Gumayusi over Ghost, one of the weaker players on Damwon KIA.

Alternatives to consider: Gumayusi ($10,500)

Top lane

Flandre ($6,200)

Both Rascal and Burdol haven’t been impressive for GenG, outside of Rascal in the LCK regular season. The real issue for Gen.G’s top lane comes from jungler Clid, who hasn’t had the strongest year since leaving T1 in 2019. GenG simply don’t have the top side to muster up against EDG, who looks far more composed with a faster play style and a Scout who is willing to share his resources to allow his top side to shine.

Alternatives to consider: Khan ($6,600)

Jungle

Jiejie ($7,000)

With Canyon as captain, Jiejie is the likely other option for jungle: while Jiejie hasn’t been the best jungler at worlds, he is solid enough, he’s in good form, and his opponent in Clid: a jungler known for being absurdly slow as of late, which EDG should be more than capable of abusing with their much more variable playstyle. BDD is a good mid laner, but he seriously restricts (alongside Clid) with how GenG is capable of playing across the map.

Alternatives to consider: Canyon ($7,200)

Mid lane

Showmaker ($7,600)
Korea is home to the best mid laners the world has to offer, with all 4 quarter finals mid laners hailing from the country. Showmaker is no different from the legacy he represents: while Chovy may be the best mid laner in the world, Showmaker is amongst the “number twos” alongside Scout. Who, coincidentally, is the second option: both mid laners outshine their opponent- sorry, Faker.

Alternatives to consider: Scout ($7,400)

ADC

Viper ($7,600)

Viper is the best ADC in the world, despite the fact that EDG ended their group in 2nd. Gumayusi is the young prince to the throne. Viper has had his championship coming for a long time coming now, since coming off a disbanded Griffin, and an underwhelming run on Hanwha. Viper has the makings of the best ADC this year, hands down.

Alternatives to consider: Gumayusi ($7,000)

Support

Meiko ($5,600)

And alongside him is EDG’s longtime support in Meiko. He’s a great mechanical player and he’s a solid step above everyone else in semifinals save for maybe Keria on T1. His counterpart in Life has been an alright support, but hasn’t filled the void CoreJJ has left for Ruler. Beryl is the other option for support, although with an AD like Ghost and up against an opponent like T1, I’d do my best to grab Meiko.

Alternatives to consider: Beryl ($5,200)

Team

Damwon KIA ($5,200)

Overall, though, I don’t think T1 has the “clutch” to take the win over Damwon KIA, despite them being better than GenG. Damwon KIA, in my mind, is probably the highest ceiling team in the world, and who wins in finals is only a matter of form: Ghost and Beryl, in particular. Even in mediocre form, though, I do think that Damwon KIA should face little to no resistance from T1.

Alternatives to consider: EDward Gaming ($5,000)

Stacks

Viper & Meiko

EDG’s bottom lane is the best part of their roster: Viper has been a prodigy for years, and Meiko is EDG’s franchise player. I can’t talk about these two enough; they’re the stars of the squad alongside Scout, and it’s likely for EDG to win the entire world championship.

Flandre & Jiejie

EDG’s top side versus Burdol/Rascal and Clid is a surefire option for them to dominate the game throughout the early and middle game, and transition that lead onto their strong bottom lane. Jiejie should be able to outpace Clid and control the map for EDG.

Gumayusi & Keria

T1’s bottom lane shouldn’t be underestimated: Ghost and Beryl are likely to take the win, but DK’s early summer inconsistency was mostly due to their bottom lane struggling. T1’s bottom lane is the strongest part of their team, and if there was ever a chance for T1 to seize victory, it’d be from their bottom lane.

Top Picks: Viper, Canyon, Showmaker

Showmaker and Canyon are the 2v2 that dominate the world. Damwon KIA won their last world championship off of a solid bottom lane, an insane mid-jungle, and a strong carry top laner. While Nuguri was swapped for Khan this year, it’s projected to go the same, with Canyon and Showmaker looking even better to accommodate for Khan.

Top Value: Gumayusi, Viper, Jiejie

Gumayusi is the heir to the global ADC throne, and has already proven a lot within his short time of playing. Viper is the current king, and while his opponent in Ruler has proven himself, the weight of his team holds him back. Jiejie is the key to that equation, with his versatile style capable of smashing GenG’s slow gameplay.