League of Legends LCS playoff preview: OpTic vs. CLG – the ultimate underdogs

Prediction

As a team, I think CLG is one of the strongest teams collectively. They are a great early game team and fairly decent in the late game. On the other hand, despite not being as strong as CLG in the early game, OpTic is horrible in terms of late gameplay.

With CLG holding a massive advantage over OpTic in the top half of the map (more out of the top lane than jungle), they have a very solid plan to attack OpTic. Get Ruin ahead to split push with their slight advantage in jungle while PoE holds with his control mages.

The game could very well come down to Ruin vs. Crown in the side lanes, while Dhokla and PowerofEvil will be more focused on contributing in team fights. In both of these scenarios, I’d give the edge to CLG, but PoE should be even massively favored. Particularly, with how hard Dhokla’s champion pool can be pinched, there’s every opportunity to run that advantage.

In terms of synergies like bot lane, mid/jungle, and support/jungle, I think CLG matches or beats OpTic in any of those combos. This series should be close, but ultimately I think the better team wins.

Prediction: 3-2 CLG

The LCS Summer Playoffs continue with the quarterfinal match between CLG and OpTic airing at 5 PM EST on Twitch.tv/Riotgames