LCS FRIDAY

(-225) TSM v Dignitas (+170)

(-150) 100 Thieves v Evil Geniuses (+115)

(-400) Cloud9 v FlyQuest (+275)

(-800) Team Liquid v Golden Guardians  (+475)

(-125) Immortals v CounterLogic Gaming (-105)

LCS kicks off their three-day week on Friday, TSM’s four-import squad gets a shot against the all North American heroes Dignitas, 100 Thieves repeats the first match of the season against EG, Cloud9 looks to snipe a free win off FlyQuest; likewise with Liquid versus Golden Guardians, and Immortals face off in the gulag match versus CLG.

Captain

Perkz ($11,700)

Cloud9’s ascension to 1st place has come off the back of their solo laners leveling way up over their performance during Lock-In. Perkz has returned to his 2020 and prior form, and easily appears to be the best mid laner in North America. His match-up is insane against Palafox, who looks like a meek kitten relative to the lion Cloud9 has in the middle lane. He comes in extremely expensive, but he’s worth every single cent. For a cheaper, yet still valuable option, I’d recommend Team Liquid’s Alphari, who gets to rough up Niles on Friday.

Alternatives to consider: Alphari ($10,800)

Top Lane

Alphari ($7,200)

Niles is by far the worst top laner in the LCS, whereas I’d actually assert that Alphari is the best, even above Impact and Fudge. Alphari has had maybe two bad games this split so far: one versus IMT, and the other versus TSM. Otherwise, he’s been Mr. Consistency for a squad that has struggled to find its footing due to an awkward 2v2 mid jungle. That being said, I have TL easily taking the win on Friday due to pure mechanical gap, there’s no tricks they need up their sleeve. If you’d prefer a slightly cheaper option, I’d nudge you in the direction of Fudge, who is $400 cheaper and in a similarly easy match-up versus Licorice.

Alternatives to consider: Fudge ($6,800)

Jungle

Santorin ($7,400)

I actually recommend both Xerxe and Dardoch for similar reasons: their opponent mid-jungle is unlikely to be able to significantly punish their weaknesses. Santorin isn’t a bad jungler, but he does not operate well with mid laner Jensen, much to the chagrin of the rest of Liquid. However, when resources are plentiful for Liquid versus lower tier teams, or Immortals versus the lowest tier teams, the relatively high econ playstyle for jungle isn’t punished in a significant capacity, allowing both junglers to flourish albeit illegally. However, my second pick for jungle is Dardoch; foreshadowing, but despite DIG dropping a game against CLG and narrowly losing to 100 Thieves, I think DIG have the drop on TSM especially after their first round robin victory.

Alternatives to consider: Dardoch ($6,200)

Mid Lane

Insanity ($7,200)

IMT’s mid laner has unironically been a standout player for the squad. He has the highest KDA of all mid laners, and he’s a consistent positive for a relatively inconsistent team due to Destiny and Revenge. His opponent in Pobelter is, humorously, inconsistent despite his reputation of a “solid” mid laner. Sure, he’s solid; but his strength is much less than resolute whereas Insanity has hit his highs on a solid basis. Secondarily, I’d either recommend Jensen or Jiizuke for middle lane: Jensen gets to smash Ablazeolive, and Jiizuke gets to play against… Ryoma… What’s up with that?

Alternatives to consider: Jensen ($8,000)

ADC

Neo ($6,600)

Spoiler: Dignitas’ bottom lane makes their return on this list. While DIG fell to CLG likely due to lack of prep at the end of a 3-week block, I think DIG will take the back-to-back against TSM. Lost and SwordArt are a good bottom lane, but I think Aphromoo has the advantage in the support match-up, and a superior and more active mid-jungle 2v2 in Soligo and Dardoch to further influence bottom side. Neo in particular has been a strong teamfight oriented ADC, and I do not think SwordArt and Lost will be capable of shutting him down in lane. Similarly, I recommend Tactical for ADC, since Stixxay and Newbie appear dead last as far as bottom lanes are concerned.

Alternatives to consider: Tactical ($8,200)

Support

Aphromoo ($4,800)

Aphromoo is the big brain behind the success story of DIG- even dropping two games in the last week doesn’t dissuade me: DIG could fall as low as 5th and I’d consider them a resounding success. Dardoch and Aphromoo’s veteran presence has allowed them to lead the 3 newer players to the near top of the standings, and I’m excited to see their rematch against TSM. I think Aphromoo holds the edge over SwordArt, but it’ll be a match to watch to be sure. Otherwise, I’d recommend Vulcan from Cloud9, who gets a freebie against Diamond.

Alternatives to consider: Vulcan ($5,600)

Team

Immortals ($4,800)

CLG look like a consistently terrible squad with the occasional flash of brilliance. They get first blood consistently (shoutout Reignover, anyone remember that disaster?), but almost always fail to convert it into a tangible advantage, slowly slumping behind before rolling over and dying. The arrival of their imports has improved their standing; alongside subbing in Pobelter, but I still think Broxah is not a great jungler past his very early game, which will allow Xerxe to outpath him. If you want a safe bet, pick up Cloud9 for your team pick; but they do cost you a pretty penny.

Alternatives to consider: Cloud9 ($5,600)

Stacks

Neo & Aphromoo

DIG’s bottom lane has been their mechanism for success so far this season: Neo’s teamfighting combined with Aphromoo’s laning has been a devastating combination. Throw in surprising performances from Soligo and Dardoch having a renaissance split, and DIG look quite powerful.

Alphari & Santorin

Liquid’s consistent piece with their inconsistent one; the Golden Guardians’ freshest pieces are their top and jungle, so I expect these two seasoned veterans to cash in big against the (literal) college kids on the rift. Alphari in particular will probably turn top lane into a slaughterhouse.

Insanity & Xerxe

The jungle-mid for Immortals is dysfunctional by design, having two players who play, in my opinion, extremely high econ 100% of the time. While both players have shown versatility in the past, I’d struggle to see either of them budge from their style. However, against a team like CLG, gold is cheap and none of this matters at all. The comfort of utilizing big gold is worth its weight in, well, gold.

Top Picks: Alphari, Tactical, Perkz

Cloud9 and TL mop up the top picks slots; Golden Guardians will be outmatched across the board by Liquid, and Cloud9 likewise with FlyQuest: especially in support and in solo lanes. Perkz looks like the best player in North America, and I highly recommend him for captain.

Top Value: Aphromoo, Insanity, Neo

All of DIG’s players are undervalued, although I understand and acknowledge that TSM is the favorite to win on Friday. IMT is similarly undervalued, although they’re against dead last CLG; stylistically, however, they’re set at a big advantage. Insanity has been a standout player in his own right, also.