League of Legends: LEC Week 9 Day 1 predictions
Splyce (12 – 4) vs. Fnatic (12 – 4)
Week 9’s Match of the Week is an extremely tight and hype affair between the two organisations battling for the second place seed at the end of the regular season. Both Fnatic and Splyce have had remarkable Summer Splits, but only one can join G2 Esports with a bye to the LEC playoff finals.
Splyce have been a breath of fresh air for LEC viewers all through the Summer Split so far and represent a third competitor for Europe at Worlds in Origen’s absence. While Fnatic have improved on their Spring Split but need to take down Splyce this weekend or at playoffs if they want any chance of reaching the playoff final for the first time in 2019.
The Match of the Week will be decided on the early game. If Fnatic can build a gold lead in the first fifteen minutes through Broxah ganks and Hylissang roams, it should be relatively easy for them to close out the game due to their excellent decision making in the mid and late game.
However, if Xerxe can continue his incredible work and shut down any Fnatic gank attempts in the early game, guiding his team to the mid game unscathed, then it’d be impossible to bet against Splyce. It’s going to be an exciting match-up regardless of the outcome, but logic points towards Splyce taking this one due to Xerxe’s inherent ability to shut down any opposition early game and secure a strong mid game for his team.
Prediction: Splyce Win
Rogue (6 – 10) vs. Origen (7 – 9)
Possibly the second most important match-up of the day, Rogue vs. Origen could have huge implications for the race to 6th place as if Rogue win they have the upper hand in terms of head-to-head and could kick the Spring Split runners-up out of the playoffs altogether.
However, in order for that to happen, Rogue have to remember how to win games, something they’ve only achieved twice in the second half of the regular season. In fact, between them, Rogue and Origen have only won 4 of their last 14 games, which is an awful statistic considering one of them is guaranteed to participate in the LEC playoffs next week.
All in all, this is another coin flip game as there is no telling which Rogue or which Origen roster will take to the LEC stage on Friday. Inspired and Larssen could take control of the early game, or Kold could guide his team safely towards the late game, who knows anymore. With neither team looking capable of beating the other heading into Week 9, the prediction this week is based on experience and ability to play under pressure, of which Origen win out due to the number of veteran players on their roster.
Prediction: Rogue Win
G2 Esports (14 – 2) vs. Schalke 04 (9 – 7)
Even the day after an attempt at a 24 hour stream, G2 Esports will probably beat Schalke in Friday’s match. It will probably involve a troll pick, and it will probably end before 25 minutes. G2 are merely waiting for their real challenge in 2019 – Worlds.
Prediction: G2 Esports Win
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