Predictions For The LCS Spring Split Playoffs
When history looks back on League of Legends, it’s going to be remembered as a weird year. What should have been remembered as the year the LCS turned 10, will instead be remembered as the COVID-19 year. But despite the ongoing effects of coronavirus, games are still being played online. Last weekend saw the regular season draw to a close, and the playoff bracket is now set. Let’s dive in and see what matches are coming up and give our predictions.
Evil Geniuses vs Flyquest
What a year it’s been for Evil Geniuses. For a team that wasn’t in the LCS a season ago to now finish second is a pretty impressive feat. It speaks to the volatility and parity of esports, and should remind fans that success in one season is no indication of what’s to come next. Come Saturday, they’ll meet the fourth seeded FlyQuest. The winner advances in the winner’s bracket, while the loser has a date with Golden Guardians in the loser’s bracket.
Kali’s Thoughts: This is a really difficult match to call. While Evil Geniuses did finish second on the season, a 10-8 record doesn’t inspire confidence. In fact, I think it speaks pretty poorly of the state of the LCS that 10-8 is good enough for second place in the league. Wanna take it a step further? FlyQuest is also 10-8 on the season! 18 games haven’t been enough to decide which of these two teams is better, so I think anyone who “knows for sure” who is going to win this game is full of crap. You couldn’t pay me to wager money on this game, but since I have to make a choice, I’ll take Evil Geniuses in a coin toss. Svenskeren is still pretty good, maybe.
Norris’s Thoughts: As much as I WANT to go with Flyquest, you have to give the edge to EG. The Evilness took the season series off of Flyquest and EG still has the MVP on the roster. While Svenskeren hasn’t really been at tip top form he’s finally created that partnership with Jizuke in Mid lane. Keep in mind EG has only lost one match since March 1st and that was to Cloud 9. So even though this looks like an even match on paper. I think EG has the much better current run of form.
Cloud9 vs 100 Thieves
Sunday’s match meanwhile will see the top seed in the league, Cloud9, taking on 100 Thieves. The winner will be facing off with the victor in the FlyQuest/Evil Geniuses match, while the loser will be facing elimination while they take on Team SoloMid. Cloud9 has been a juggernaut this season, powering out to a 17-1 record in the LCS. 100 Thieves sits in third place with a familiar 10-8 record.
Kali’s Thoughts: I’d love to sit here and pontificate about the X’s and O’s behind this match. As fun as it would be to break down what needs to go right for C9 to win or 100 Thieves to pull out the upset, it would be dishonest. Cloud9 lost one game this season, and it wasn’t to 100 Thieves. I’m not into holding teams to a standard of perfection, because I don’t believe esports lends itself to that. Cloud9 was as close to perfect as you get in esports, and I don’t see any reason why 100 Thieves is going to interrupt that. Gimme Cloud9 in a blowout.
Norris’s Thoughts: In all honesty, this is a foregone conclusion. Cloud 9 hasn’t just been the best team in the LCS, their form has them on par with the best in the world. Both matches C9 played against 100T were sub 33 minute wins, the second of which was emblematic of how good C9 is. 100T took fights to C9 and looked to out-muscle them, but after a massive Gragas barrel from Blaber the match was over in a flash. Its C9’s ability to out fight, out think, and turn the game in their favor at a moment’s notice. This is some of the best I’ve seen from Cloud9 ever.
Who’s going all the way?
Rather than break down matches that we don’t know we’ll be seeing, we’re just going to give a prediction as to who is going all the way.
Kali’s Thoughts: Second verse same as the first. Cloud9 went 17-1 this split, shows no signs of slowing down, and I’m not sure anyone else in the league is any good at all. Truthfully, I don’t know how good C9 is because of the level of competition they’ve faced this year. That said, if they don’t win the Spring Split, then buckle up for international competition. It’s going to be a sad year. Winner: Cloud9
Norris’s Thoughts: I thought losing Zeyzal, Sneaky AND Svenskeren would be a death-knell to their split…nope. Not only did Zven come over from TSM and dominate, we were looking at one of the best seasons at ADC ever. But the story for C9 in my opinion is Blaber. Not only was he called up from academy he’s put up an all-star caliber season. I don’t know who on earth right now takes down C9. Winner: Cloud9
What about you? Who do you have winning this weekend? Who’s going to win the spring split playoffs? Let us know what you think on Twitter @CheckpointXP!
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