Group D was one of the most hyped-up prior to Group Stage starting and after the first round of three matches that hasn’t changed. After two days of action the entire group was 1-1 and heading into the final day of action on Monday, October 18th we expect it to be just as tight. With each side playing three games each on the final day, including possible tiebreakers, we’ll preview each team’s chances and their odds of winning.
Gen.G
Gen.G came into this Group as favourites, and while it was truly a group that anything could happen, they head into Monday’s matches the clear favourite. While their loss to MAD Lions looked like a slip-up, thanks to MAD failing to win against LNG, Gen.G wasn’t punished for the loss. As things stand they sit in first place alongside LNG, though due to their head-to-head victory they remain in the first place. If Gen.G can beat LNG, they should be safe, in fact, Gen.G will probably feel like they’re only one win away from securing a place in the knockout stage, especially given how mixed this Group has been.
Gen.G is also odds on to win all their series as of writing. And, it’s fairly safe to assume they’ll win most of them and take first place in the Group.
MAD Lions
MAD came into their second Worlds, and this time they did so as to double LEC title winners. This was MAD Lions’ chance to shine, to prove to the rest of the World that the EU didn’t need G2 Esports to succeed. Sadly, after the first round of group stage matches, MAD Lions just haven’t managed to do it. While the 1-2 record doesn’t mean the end of their chances at Worlds, we’ve seen teams go 0-3 still qualify, and especially in a group that is so uncertain. That said, MAD Lions now really need Gen.G or LNG to win their other games, the worst case for MAD Lions would be having a four-way fight on the last day.
Right now, MAD Lions are odds-on to win against Team Liquid, while losses against Gen.G and LNG are expected.
Team Liquid
It wasn’t the Group Stage Team Liquid wanted to have. After a massive day one win against MAD Lions, it looked like the sky was the limit for them. Sadly, losses to LNG and Gen.G has seen Team Liquid tumble into the elimination places alongside MAD Lions. So, what can Team Liquid do? Beating MAD Lions again is going to be crucial, but they’ll need to beat LNG or Gen.G if they want to qualify. LNG is going to be the most winnable and it’s the team that they’ll play first, meaning game one of the days is crucial. THey’ll end the day against Gen.G, who could easily have qualified by then, meaning they could pick up an easier win in that game.
If the odds are anything to go by, sadly Team Liquid won’t be making it. They showed some great form in the first game, but sadly it looks like they might have run their course.
LNG Esports
LNG had a better first week of games than many expected them to. Ending 2-1, with just a loss to Gen.G they’ve positioned themselves in the right place to make it to the knockout stage. LNG was always the dark horse of Group D, and the group of dark horses in the first place it must be said. But they’ve positioned themselves in a strong position in the group as we enter the final day. They can afford to drop a game against Gen.G, providing they can beat Team Liquid and/or MAD Lions they should be in with a shot.
As for the odds, LNG Esports are odds on to beat Team Liquid and MAD Lions, while they’re expected to be odd-even as of writing against Gen.G.