Worlds 2020 is finally upon us. We start off on day one with Group A classes, with the battle of the West MAD Lions v Team Liquid being a prominent fixture. Day two will see Group B get involved and our third match between Unicorns of Love and LGD takes place. Below are our three-game picks for the Play-Ins stage that you should look out for.
MAD Lions v INTZ
MAD Lions are the Group A favourites and they start us off with their series against INTZ. MAD go into this at 2/11* odds to win the game. It’s worth noting that Play-Ins is played in a best-of-one format, which means upsets can happen and secret picks can turn the tide. We have very little information about how teams are coping in lockdown in China, so we have to base all of this information on pre-Worlds form.
On the other side of the rift, we have INTZ. The side came from the CBLoL in Brazil, they finished second in the regular season. During playoffs, they beat PRG 3-2 and toppled regular-season winners PNG 3-1 in the Grand Finals. INTZ, as with any side from CBLoL will be a tough cookie, and they certainly have the fans to match. The reality is, this is a Wildcard Region v a major region in the LEC. INTZ are at 10/3 for the series, while an unlikely victor anything is possible at Worlds, especially in the very first game.
MAD Lions v Team Liquid
This one will be a match to keep an eye on. By the time MAD Lions play Team Liquid we’ll know how MAD fared against INTZ, as will Team Liquid who will be playing their first game of Worlds against MAD. With MAD being favourites at 4/6, it’s worth noting that this could be a very tight series, depending on how MAD does against INTZ.
Team Liquid goes into the series at 23/20 favourites, but they have one advantage over MAD, they get to see them play. It’s unlikely MAD pulls out any special picks this early in Worlds, however, securing your place in the main event is all that matters, so MAD could reveal their hand early if they feel they have the edge. As we said before, Team Liquid won’t have played at Worlds prior to this series, so they’ll have had four other matches to observe ahead of the series against MAD. They’ll also get a chance to watch MAD play which could give the LCS side the edge.
Unicorns of Love v LGD Gaming
Unicorns of Love are one of the teams to watch at Worlds. Having come out of the Russian league with a flawless regular split 14-0 record, they could be the upset side in Group B and their game against LGD will be their big test. UOL are underdogs at (insert odds) but don’t sleep on this side, they could surprise many in Play-Ins and throw a spanner in the works heading into Group Stage.
LGD ended the Chinese Summer Split in sixth place, however, they found their form into playoffs and found themselves in Group B. LGD picked up big wins on their way to the finals and now find themselves as Group B Play-Ins favourites. LGD is favourite to win the series and would be expected to sweep their group. LGD will have played 3 other series before this game against UOL, so be sure to keep an eye on other fixtures.
*All odds correct at time of writing.