With Play-ins out the way, it’s time for us to get into the Group Stage of Worlds 2021. With matches coming at us thick and fast, we’re in for a very busy few weeks. In our first Worlds preview, we’ll focus on three key matches from the first two days. 100 Thieves v Edward Gaming kicks us off on Monday, October 11th. Next, we move to Tuesday for Gen.G v Mad Lions, and Fnatic v Royal Never Give Up. Can the LCS and LEC teams get off to a dream start?
100 Thieves v Edward Gaming – Oct 11th
It’s time to put their talk into action. 100 Thieves won the LCS Summer Championship, and now they need to bring their game to the Worlds stage. This is going to be 100 Thieves’ first test at Worlds, and could be a litmus test for the entire region’s chances. While EDG is not the same team they were, they’re a storied organization, and they’ll be a tough team to take down.
EDG will be clear favourites, in fact, you’ll find them at Mansionbet for 4/11 to take the series. However, this is Worlds, and it’s the first game either side will be playing at Worlds, so an upset could well be on the cards. At 41/20, 100 Thieves could be a really solid underdog pick for the first day of matches. For us, the odds should be correct here, it’s hard to see anything other than an EDG victory. That said, Worlds has to have an upset, and 100 Thieves beating EDG would certainly be just that.
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Gen.G v MAD Lions – Oct 12th
The first game at Worlds 2021 for the LEC comes from MAD Lions, and it’s set to be a great one. Facing off against Gen.G, much like 100 Thieves the day before, EU will face off against one of the most storied teams at Worlds. MAD Lions heads into Worlds on the back of back-to-back LEC titles, with the hopes of Europe firmly on their backs. Is this finally their time to show up on the World stage, or will they crumble?
As of writing this, both teams are evenly matched, though both sides will each have played a game by the time this series happens. At 20/21 for Gen.G, and 20/23 for MAD Lions, this could be one of the closest games on paper at Worlds. For us, MAD Lions just about has the edge here, and it could be the start of a magical journey into the playoffs stage for the LEC champions. That said, if MAD Lions drop a series against Team Liquid on Monday and Gen.G wins, this series will have a different setup.
Fnatic v Royal Never Give Up – Oct 12th
Fnatic will head into this series having played an “easier” series on Monday against one of the play-ins sides. This is far from an easy task for Fnatic, RNG is not at Worlds to make up numbers, and they’ll be here to win it. Fnatic ended the LEC split in second place, and despite losing to MAD Lions in the final, they made it further than most expected them to. Fnatic is a storied organization, and they’ll be expected to perform, however, this roster is still fresh, and it might just be a Worlds too early for them.
It’s very clear that RNG is favourites to take this series, and regardless of what goes down on day one, it’s hard to see another result. Fnatic should be fine at Worlds, and will feel like second place qualification is on the cards. However, RNG should have the beating of them here, and at 20/51 it’s clear why. Fnatic can absolutely win it, and on their day can absolutely upset the odds to win it on their day. As always, keep an eye on the result on Monday, as it will likely impact the odds for this series.
*All odds correct at time of writing.