After Misfits hit their first stumbling block of the Summer Split, has the LEC gone back to normality?
Misfits’ Friday loss to Rogue, and G2 Esports’ 2-0 weekend has seen the former LEC champions move back into the top spot, though Misfits do hold an equal 4-1 record thus far. Rogue, MAD Lions, and Fnatic are in joint-third place in the LEC, things look to be going back to the status quo. Week three will see our “Clash of the Kings” matchup between G2 Esports and Fnatic, as the two former champions go head-to-head.
Misfits v Excel Esports
After slipping up in week two, Misfits will need to quickly climb back onto the horse and start pushing on to maintain momentum. Week three will see Misfits face two winnable matches, against SK Gaming on Saturday, but first up is Excel Esports on Friday. The hardest test of the two, especially as Excel showed real improvement in week two, though they weren’t able to take down Fnatic, they did keep current champions MAD Lions.
It’s going to be a tough game, with momentum about even for both sides are 1-1 weeks in week two. Excel will be inspired by week two performances while Misfits will need to refocus, and stopping Excel Esports in their tracks will be the best way to do that. Misfits are favourites here, but for us, we think Excel might just have what it takes, especially if they bring their week two energy. You can pick them up as outsiders at 5/12.
Rogue v Astralis
It was a mixed bag for Rogue in week two. An important win against Misfits was sullied by a loss to G2 Esports, as the side sits in joint third place. Rogue comes up against an Astralis side that can’t seem to recreate their week one success thus far, though they’ll be looking to do so here. Astralis sit just behind Rogue in sixth, though it’s early days and Astralis is very much riding their week one high.
It should be a fairly routine series for Rogue, but keep an eye out for their Friday series against last-placed Sk Gaming, because if Rogue slip up there, it could spiral out of control on Saturday and they could be in for a shock. That said, we can’t see past Rogue on paper, and they could be a safe bet this weekend at 4/19, though keep an eye out for Friday’s matches.
G2 Esports v Fnatic
Regardless of form or expectations, G2 Esports v Fnatic is always a match to watch. This year, the sides have moved further apart than ever, with Fnatic slipping into unknown territory. G2 Esports has already found themselves top of the LEC, while Fnatic is trailing a little. Fnatic went into Summer as a side most expected to struggle, and while they did have a rough first week, they’ve found their feet now and look like they might have clicked as a roster.
This fixture is always spicy, despite some recent dips in form there’s something that just connects these two rosters. With Caps and Rekkles now playing for G2 Esports, the desire from Fnatic to beat their rival is even higher. Spring Split wasn’t ideal for Fnatic, though roster changes in Summer turned heads, they look to be working out thus far. At 20/43 to win it, we can’t really see past G2 Esports taking this one.