With just two weeks of regular play to go, the LEC is taking shape as the playoff spots start to heat up.
This week we shift our focus to the Friday set of fixtures. Starting with Schalke 04, a side that started well but has continued to fall off as they face off against a resurgent MAD Lions. Then we head to the battle of Britain as fifth place Fnatic take on sixth place Excel who are exceeding expectations to make the playoffs. Lastly, we head to the top of the table as the joint-first sides G2 Esports and Rogue face off to decide who claims the top spot with just six regular matches left.
Schalke 04 v MAD Lions
After another 0-2 week, Schalke 04 are in real danger of losing their steam as we approach the tail-end of the season. With just five games left in the Spring Split, Schalke 04 are in real danger of seeing the promising start to the season falling away. The fixture against MAD Lions will be the harder of Schalke’s two this weekend, and we have them at 27/20 to take down MAD Lions.
As for MAD Lions, they’ve finally started to show the form many predicted at the start of the season. While a week six loss to SK Gaming halted their charge on the top of the table, an important win against Vitality saw them hold their third place. With a tricky game against Rogue on Saturday, this game against Schalke is vital. We have MAD Lions as 4/7 to take the victory.
Fnatic v Excel
Fnatic picked up an important win against Astralis in week six, however, the defeat to G2 Esports has probably ended their hopes of making the top spot before the playoffs. With just five matches to go it’s more important than ever that Fnatic has a good week. With matches against sides directly above and below, a 2-0 or 0-2 week could have major implications for Fnatic’s season. We expected them to pip Excel at 5/18 this weekend.
After a poor week six, Excel finds themselves on the edge of the playoffs alongside Schalke 04 and Misfits Gaming. Excel face a side directly ahead of them in Fnatic on Friday, before facing off against one below them in Vitality on Saturday. While a 1-1 week would be enough, it might be now or never for Excel to pull out a shock and take down Fnatic on Friday. We have them as 51/20 outsiders as they look to secure a spot in the LEC playoffs.
G2 Esports v Rogue
The battle for top looks like it could be settled a week early as G2 looks to take down Rogue. With just five matches left, this battle of the week is likely to decide who finishes the regular season in top spot. While the playoffs will decide who claims the title, it’s a massive bonus if you can claim first seed. For G2, they’ve started to put their foot down in recent matches as they look to claim yet another LEC title. We have them as 20/33 favourites, despite Rogue’s incredible form this season.
For Rogue, this is a chance to finally take it to G2 Esports. Rogue has been incredibly consistent in 2021 thus far, losing just two games, one of which was against G2 Esports. If they can overcome whatever demon they have, Rogue could finally push through and make a claim on a LEC title. Rogue are 13/10 outsiders, though they might be worth a look considering just how close the two sides are.