For this weeks preview, we head back over to North America for some LCS action. When we last looked at the league Cloud9 had nearly run away with it, and looked a dead cert for the title. However, last week’s loss to Team Liquid has thrown a spanner in the works, and the league looks more open than ever.
Cloud9 face off against another top LCS side in Team SoloMid this weekend, and it’s our first pick of the week’s action. Cloud9 could make a statement by going 2-0 and brushing off its poor week 7 showing. TSM will be looking to secure its playoff spot over the weekend, having slipped out of top spot contention, teams are now starting to close the gap on the LCS’ most successful side.
Cloud9 v Team SoloMid
Cloud9 comes into this week in joint-top. After losing out to Team Liquid, they now find themselves sharing the spot that looked nailed on just weeks ago. Cloud9 tried an “interesting” team composition against Team Liquid, and whilst the idea had some merit, it just didn’t work at all. Hopefully, in week 8 Cloud9 go back to what they know and pull out a victory against TSM. We have them at 4/14* favourites, but keep a close eye on what Cloud9 does in its other match of the weekend.
TSM had a 2-0 week last week and will be looking forward to bringing that form into the penultimate week. Of the 4 games TSM has left this split, all of them feature sides either above then (Cloud9 and Team Liquid) and those right behind (Evil Geniuses and Golden Guardians). Showing up in a huge match against Cloud9 could see TSM carry its momentum into playoffs and could see them be with an outside chance of winning it. We have them at 47/20 for this match, but as we mentioned above, keep an eye out for Cloud9’s other match.
FlyQuest v Evil Geniuses
FlyQuest finds themselves within reach of playoffs this split, and easier day one game against 100 Thieves is followed by the series against Evil Geniuses. Just one win behind, EG could leapfrog FlyQuest into the fourth spot and put pressure on FlyQuest heading into the final week. FlyQuest goes in as 4/5 favourites, but recent roster changes to EG has made them a very different opponent.
EG’s recent roster changes have seen EG start to look like a playoffs side, even if it hasn’t fully evolved them into a top 3 side. Going into the penultimate weekend, EG finds themselves 7-7, one or two wins should see them make playoffs, though it’ll be a real battle to get to Worlds. They sit at 1/1 outsiders, and like a lot of sides in the LCS, it’s all going to depend on what version of EG decides to show up in week 8.
100 Thieves v Immortals
100 Thieves v Immortals is the battle to make playoffs. With the top eight sides in the LCS making it, any loss now for Immortals likely sees them fall out of contention. 100 Thieves, however, could give their playoff hopes a boost with victory over the side at the bottom, effectively killing off Immortals chance of making it more than securing their own. 100 Thieves are 5/8 favourites, and will likely go into the match with a point to prove with a tough Saturday game coming before this match.
Immortals need to win every game between now and playoffs if they want to make it. The side currently sits 3-11 with just 4 matches left to play, their playoff dream isn’t even in their hands. This weekend, however, Immortals play the two sides right above them and could see them leap-frog both into 8th, and going into the final week of the LCS in a playoffs spot. Going 2-0 is going to need to happen as well, with FlyQuest and Team Liquid to come in week 9. Immortals are outsiders at 5/4, however, they could be worth the odds with a punt.
*All odds correct at time of writing.
