It seems like only yesterday we were crowning a LEC champion back in Spring, yet here we are again. The Summer Split has seen some real changes in the early weeks before things settled down towards the end. With just six teams fighting it out across the next three weeks as the LEC looks to find a 2021 Summer Split champion.
Misfits Gaming v Rogue
It was some season for Misfits Gaming. Having not gone into the season with any real expectations, they’ve managed to find their way into the top seeds for the Summer playoffs. After spending most of the season in the top three, Misfits were able to secure a 4th seed point heading into playoffs, giving them a shot at the title from the Upper Bracket.
As for Rogue, they ended the Split in first place, and subsequently picked Team Vitality as their first-round opponent. Though, that’s nothing against Misfits, especially when the alternative was G2 Esports. As is always the case with being the top seed pick, you’re damned regardless of whom you pick. Because if you lose, it’s ultimately your bad choice that caused it.
As for a winner, despite Misfits amazing season, the form would place Rogue as the favourites here, and it’s who we’ll be backing. At 5/18 to take the series, Rogue came into the series as favourites. Over on MansionBet, you’ll also find per match odds and handicaps for this series if that’s more for you. We predict a 3-1 series win for Rogue.
MAD Lions v G2 Esports
The other Upper Bracket series will see second-placed MAD Lions face off against their old enemy G2 Esports. The problem with not seeding 1st is, if a side like G2 Esports is available for selection, you’ll more often than not be left with them. MAD Lions will, however, feel like they can take them given G2 Esports’ struggles in the Summer Split. Having knocked G2 Esports into Lower Brackets in the past, and defeating them in Spring, MAD Lions will be looking to repeat that success.
It’s not been a Split to remember thus far for G2 Esports, and failing in the Spring playoffs could make this a nightmare year for G2. Given their major roster shake-up at the start of 2021, it might start to cause people to ask questions. That said, a win here against MAD Lions could see G2 Esports start to erase that stigma as they look to claim another LEC title.
This should be the tighter of the two Upper Bracket matches. Despite a rough Split, G2 Esports remain the favourites for this series, though for us, MAD Lions might look to make it 3-0 when it comes to beating G2 in playoffs. At 23/20, MAD Lions are outsiders to take the entire series, which we think will go all the way to five games.
Team Vitality v Fnatic
Just sneaking into the LEC playoffs in the final week, Team Vitality will go into the Lower Bracket against Fnatic, with one team going home if they lose. Vitality will be long shots on paper, though Fnatic does appear to be having another wobble in the lead up to playoffs, which will give Vitality some solace. In the head-to-head, Vitality lost both times to Fnatic, however, both of these were when Fnatic was in form. Going into the playoffs, Vitality had a 3-0 week, giving them a great chance in the playoffs.
As for Fnatic, as we said above, they’ll come into the playoffs having only won 1 in their last five matches, three of whom are teams they could face in the playoffs, which doesn’t bode well for Fnatic. That said, they’re still a good side, and the fact it looked like they might end the season in first place says a lot.
Vitality v Fnatic is the battle of the in-form side v the experienced side. Fnatic is the favourite, and while we do think that’s how it will play it, it could be a close one. At 4/11 to win it, it might be worth looking at handicap or an over 3.5 map with a Fnatic victory.