(-260) Misfits Gaming v exceL eSports (+190)

(+290) FC Schalke 04 v Rogue (-450)

(+305) SK Gaming v MAD Lions (-475)

(-310) Fnatic v Astralis (+225)

(+165) Team Vitality v G2 Esports (-210)

The LEC is a wild league. We have seen some unlikely upsets and star studded performances out of Europe so far and Friday should be no different. There are teams like Misfits and Team Vitality who seem like they are high quality but have struggled last weekend. Fnatic and Rogue continue to rise to the top. Who shines on Friday? Who falls? Let’s dive in!

Game #1 Misfits Gaming v exceL eSports

Cann’s Pick: Misfits Gaming

Game #2: FC Schalke 04 v Rogue

Cann’s Pick: Rogue

Game #3: SK Gaming v MAD Lions

Cann’s Pick: MAD Lions

Game #4: Fnatic v Astralis

Cann’s Pick: Fnatic

Game #5: Team Vitality v G2 Esports

Cann’s Pick: G2 Esports

 

Captain

Favorite: Carzzy (MAD: $11,700) The MAD Lions are a sleeping giant in the LEC. It isn’t like fans of the LEC don’t know they are good, but I think people are forgetting how good they are. There was a real opportunity for them to have beaten the reigning World Champion and go to the MSI finals only a few months ago. Carzzy has really set the tone for this team and it is through his team fighting skill and ability to finish off damage initiated by Humanoid and Elyoya. He has 53 kills and 56 assists this split as well as owning 33% of all of MAD Lion’s kills. I love MAD into SK and I love Carzzy to continue his current performances. 

Value Pick: Caps (G2: $10,800)

Top Lane

Favorite: HiRit (MSF: $6,800) Among all top laners in the LEC, HiRit has the highest KDA with a 4.2. This KDA isn’t because he is afraid of fighting as seen through his kill numbers (44) and assist numbers (70) as well as his team kill participation (67.5%) which ranks among the top players in the league. Kryze (the XL top laner) is relatively passive compared to other top lakers which should make this a less risky lane to play out for HiRit and increases his likelihood of carrying the game.  

Value Pick: Whiteknight (AST: $5,800) 

Jungle

Favorite: Bwipo (FNC: $7,200) I am a Bwipo-stan now. His transfer over to jungle may have been the best thing for him. He is topping the charts for European junglers for kills (40), assists (104), and CS per minute (6.4). Fnatic are on a 3 game win streak right now and they are facing a very scrappy team in Astralis. I think this game could get very bloody and if it does, Bwipo will be at the center of the action. 

Value Pick: Inspired (RGE: $6,800) 

Mid Lane

Favorite: Humanoid (MAD: $7,800) Humanoid is one of the streakiest players in the LEC by my analysis. There are games where you could make a case for him as one of the top mids in Europe and then the next day he struggles. What makes me lean into this pick (despite the very high cost) is the fact that MAD are into SK Gaming and Blue as the mid laner. SK has been struggling a lot in the Summer split and have struggled even more against teams with strong coordination in the late game. This is the bread and butter of MAD Lions and this is where Humanoid will shine. There are plenty of options for champions for Humanoid to play and make an impact on so paying more for him here is ok. 

Value Pick: Video (MSF: $7,600)   

ADC

Favorite: Upset (FNC: $8,200) This is the pinnacle of European ADCs right now. Upset looks more like Rekkles than Rekkles does right now. Upset can pump out tons of damage in team fights and he is so good at winning early trades. He has one of the highest gold differentials at 10 minutes (+174) as well as being the kill leader in the LEC (57). Upset doesn’t make the flashiest plays but he makes the correct plays and that is why he is averaging almost 12 kill participation per match this split. 

Value Pick: Patrik (XL: $6,400) 

Support

Favorite: Trymbi (RGE: $6,000) Rogue do not pump out huge kill numbers so I was somewhat shocked by the production by Trymbi this split. He has a 68% kill participation and should pass the 100 assist mark on Friday. Another benefit to this pick is the fact that Rogue are into a lower tier team which they have had outstanding success against in their history., I expect Rogue to win pretty handedly and Trymbi to be a big part of that. 

Value Pick: Hylissang (FNC: $5,600) 

Team

Favorite: Rogue ($5,400)  Rogue historically do well against bad teams and there aren’t any other teams as bad as Shalke 04 right now. S04 are uninspired and with the news of them selling their spot, you have a team full of players who know this is most likely it for them. Rogue are too good at controlling the map and avoiding bad fights so I fully expect them to take care fo S04.

Value Pick: G2 Esports ($4,800) 


Cann’s Example Lineup

Captain (x1.5): Vetheo ($11,400)

Alternate: Nisqy ($10,100)

Top: WhiteKnight ($5,800)

Jungle: Jankos ($6,600)

Alternate: Inspired ($6,800)
Mid: Caps ($7,200)

ADC: Upset ($8,200)

Alternate: Han Sama ($7,600)

Support: Hylissang ($5,600)

Team: Fnatic ($5,200)