The LCS is back in full swing and the first weekend of matches has produced some electric plays and shocking results. None are more surprising than the current hot streak of Counter Logic Gaming, who was the worst team in the league at the end of the previous split. The hopeful Cloud9 faithful have prayed for changes in their outcomes but to no avail. The top of the league though truly remains a two-team race between Team Liquid and Evil Geniuses, both of which easily glided past their three opponents in Week 1. Who will continue to win? Who fails to get off the ground? Let’s dive in!

 

Game #1: Dignitas v Cloud9

Game Breakdown: If you’re looking for an underdog to play, I think jumping on DIG may not be a terrible pick. Cloud9 has had a rough start to the split, they have played without their starting lineup and many have been critical of their letting Sunmit go. The team has lacked firepower to be legitimate top contender and I feel like both teams are sitting around the same level. There is no real difference between Neo and K1ng and the value for DIG players is pretty good. 

Favorite Picks: Jensen (C9: $10,800/$7,200), Fudge (C9: $6,400), Cloud9 ($5,000)

Value Picks: Neo (DIG: $6,600), Biofrost (DIG: $5,200), River (DIG: $5,800)

Cann’s Match Pick: Dignitas  


Game #2: 100 Thieves v Golden Guardians

Game Breakdown: The loss against EG has taken some of the wind out of 100 Thieves sails but don’t lose focus. This team finished second in the region and have been consistently the best for two years. I think Cliser will work over GG in the early game and 100 Thieves should rely on FBI in the late game. GGs have tried to bring in veteran talent with Stixxay but it hasn’t translated in results. 

Favorite Picks: FBI (100: $11,700/$7,800), Closer (100: $7,200), 100 Thieves ($5,200)

Value Picks: Stixxay (GG: $6,400), Licorice (GG: $5,200)

Cann’s Match Pick: 100 Thieves 


Game #3: Team Solomid v Team Liquid 

Game Breakdown: I thought this was going to be the biggest price mismatch but shockingly it isn’t. TL’s mid-laner (Bjergsen) has no deaths in this split and has set the LCS on fire. Maple hasn’t been bad for TSM, but the team lacks some of the early game coordination to capitalize on his late-game control. If Santorin, one of the best players in North American history, can limit Spica’s impact, TL runs away with the match. 

Favorite Picks: Bjergsen (TL: $11,100/$7,400), Hans sama (TL: $7,600), CoreJJ (TL: $6,200), Santorin (TL: $7,000)

Value Picks: Huni (TSM: $5,000), Tactical (TSM: $6,200)

Cann’s Match Pick: Team Liquid   


Game #4: Evil Geniuses v Immortals 

Game Breakdown: Evil Geniuses continually win through controlled chaos. Danny (ADC) and jojopyun (mid) capitalize on wild skirmishes where they can crutch on technical skill rather than methodical gameplay. Immortals don’t have the technical skill to compete with that approach and they lack the time together to out macro-play them. Big numbers for EG in this matchup, but fade them as captain because of their high death totals. 

Favorite Picks: Danny (EG: $12,000/$8,000), Inspired (EG: $7,400), Vulcan (EG: $6,600)

Value Picks: Revenge (IMT: $4,800), PowerOfEvil (IMT: $6,000) 

Cann’s Match Pick: Evil Geniuses  


Game #5: FlyQuest v Counter Logic Gaming

Game Breakdown: This season has been really weird, nothing more weird that the resurgence of CLG. Their success has mostly stemmed from their unique approaches to the game. Good teams (100 Thieves, TL) will beat these flash-in-the-pan approaches but teams like FkyQuest can be thrown off during draft. They have a very veteran bottom lane in Johnsun/Aphrodite but the other lanes can be exposed with crazy picks. 

Favorite Picks: toucouille (FLY: $6,800), Johnsun (FLY: $7,000), Aphromoo (FLY: $5,600)

Value Picks: Palafox (CLG: $6,600), Luger (CLG: $6,800), Dhokla (CLG: $5,600)

Cann’s Match Pick: Counter Logic Gaming  


DraftKings Example Lineup

Captain (x1.5): Bjergsen (TL: $11,100)

Alternate: Luger (CLG: $10,200)

Top: Ssumday (100: $6,600)

Jungle: Santorin (TL: $7,000)

Alternate: River (DIG: $5,800)

Mid: Abbedagge (100: $7,000)

ADC: Luger (CLG: $6,800)

Support: CoreJJ (TL: $6,200)

Alternate: Biofrost (DIG: $5,200)

Team: 100 Thieves ($5,200)

 

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