After just a short break, we’re back with LEC action.
After being knocked out of MSI at the Semifinal stage, MAD Lions return to the LEC with all the pressure on them to perform at the top level. Their start to the split couldn’t get much harder, either. With a day one match against G2 Esports and a Saturday fixture against Fnatic, MAD Lions will be in for a real challenge on the opening day. With three full days of matches, they might have an easier time in their game three against Astralis, but if MAD Lions can come out of week 1 3-0 they’ll be on course for another good split.
G2 Esports v MAD Lions
G2 Esports comes into the first weekend of the LEC after failing to make a LEC Grand Final since the LEC began. After Rogue picked up the first two games of the Grand Final against MAD Lions, they threw it away as MAD Lions came back to win the series 3-2. G2 Esports will come into the split fresh, with no major roster changes happening as the team stuck with its roster from the Spring split. Though G2 Esports would normally head into a series like this as favourites, MAD Lions win in Spring and subsequent showing at MSI might just make fans believe they have a chance to do it all again.
For MAD Lions, a week 1 matchup against G2 Esports on the first day of Summer Split gives the roster an opportunity to prove that they weren’t just a flash in the pan. With a day two match against a Fnatic side, and a day three-match against Astralis, MAD Lions might just end week one 3-0. At 4/5 odds to win the series, MAD Lions have a real opportunity to push on early in the early season and create a gap against two of their likely highest competition.
Misfits v Fnatic
Most fans of Misfits weren’t expecting the site to win the split, most were surprised not to see the roster make it to the playoffs. After their seventh-place finish, Misfits has mostly stuck with their roster from Spring, with just Denyk leaving the side to join Excel Esports. Vandar stuck with the roster as they plan ahead for Summer Split as they desperately look to improve on their seventh-place showing and look to make the playoffs in Summer Split for a spot at Worlds.
As for Fnatic… where do we start. With a roster seemingly in turmoil, they’ve signed a new top laner from Excel Academy and moved their old top lane to the jungle as Selfmade left the roster. It’s hard to know what to expect from Fnatic, but fans will be hoping it can’t get much worse, though the heightened competition in the LEC is starting to make Fnatic’s position look a sketchy one. Despite that, Misfits might just be the ideal first match for Fnatic’s new roster, as they come in as 10/13 favourites to take the series in the final match of the opening day.
MAD Lions v Fnatic (Saturday)
After their game one against G2 Esports, MAD Lions will come up against another tricky opponent on day two as they face off against Fnatic. If they can come away with a victory against G2 Esports, they should be stronger odds to beat Fnatic. At 10/31 to win the series pre-weekend, MAD Lions might be up at much shorter odds if they can take down G2.
As for Fnatic, game one against Misfits will tell us a lot about this new roster. Can Bwipo cut it in the jungle, and can Adam take to the top lane quickly. There’s going to be a lot of “ifs and buts” this weekend, but MAD Lions are well placed to kick off the Summer Split in style. The longer three-game weekend should help Fnatic, unless they go 0-3 then questions will be asked early. Keep an eye on the odds at Mansionbet over the weekend
