League of Legends: LEC Week 9 power rankings
4. Schalke 04 (9 – 7)
Despite all the hype surrounding the European region throughout the Summer Split, the Mid-Season Invitational, and Rift Rivals, we have to wait until 4th in these power rankings to find a team worthy of challenging in the playoffs and potentially at Worlds. Schalke provide the perfect benchmark for LEC teams to aspire towards; they’re accomplished at defeating teams below them in the standings but haven’t yet figured out how to take down the top three.
Trick, Abbedagge, and IgNar combine to create an insurmountable early game machine capable of building gold leads from nowhere and taking control of the mid game. Combined with Odoamne’s experience on a side lane and with TP flanks, as well as Upset’s perfect positioning in teamfights, and this Schalke roster are in a great position to challenge some of the top teams in the world at the 2019 World Championship.
But… Three teams stand in their way.
2. Fnatic & Splyce (12 – 4)
There is really no separating these two sides heading into the final week of LEC fixtures and it should all be decided in their Friday grudge match that decides who gets a bye straight through to the Summer Split finals and who must play an extra game in playoffs.
Fnatic have the ability to be a top European team, but continually make the same mistakes. If they do not create an early gold lead, they are liable to force plays and throw away the game through both Broxah and Hylissang. While Garen picks might fool viewers into thinking the Fnatic group are confident heading into playoffs, there are still a lot of improvements to be made before the Summer Split concludes.
As for Splyce, their late game style has been slowly perfected over many years on the European stage, but still lacks the cutting edge to cut down talented rosters such as G2 Esports, Fnatic, and potential Worlds opponents. Ultimately they take too long to end the game, and while that might be okay against the lacklustre opponents they face in the LEC, it can easily be countered by the top Chinese and Korean teams.
Whichever of these two teams finishes second will deserve it, but they’ll still feel there are changes to be made in the run up to playoffs, the gauntlet, and Worlds. Fnatic need to shore up their issues in the mid game if they want to mount a challenge against G2 Esports over the next month, while Splyce could struggle at Worlds due to their severe lack of international experience.
1. G2 Esports (14 – 2)
There is literally nothing else to say about G2 Esports. They win games with Soraka top with Smite. I’m just looking forward to this roster giving 100% and wiping out teams at Worlds.
Next. Patch 9.16 breakdown – Summoner’s Rift edition. dark
Do you agree with these power rankings? Who do you think will finish 2nd? Who will miss out on playoffs? Let us know in the comments, on Facebook, or on Twitter!