We are going to have a first-time champion in North America for the first time in a number of seasons. For the past five years, Team SoloMid, Cloud9, and Counter Logic Gaming have dominated North American League of Legends. However, this season all three sides disappointed with CLG not even making the playoffs, while C9 and TSM suffered first-round exits.
Not only that, but we are guaranteed to see an expansion team in the finals. Both 100 Thieves and Clutch Gaming joined the NA LCS this season and have had instant success. A trip to the finals would be beyond what anyone was expecting for either team.
Betting Odds Courtesy of BetDSI
Echo Fox -125
Liquid -106
The key for Echo Fox all season has been Huni. The former SK Telecom T1 top laner has dominated his opponents in North America this split. He has been able to win two versus one’s and is outplaying his counterpart nearly every time in skill match-ups. Huni has been so impressive that he was the favorite for the MVP through the first six weeks of the season, something we have really never seen before from a top laner.
Additionally, Echo Fox has the top jungler this split in Dardoch. Dardoch was named the best jungler this season last week, and he has been great at pushing the mid lane and bottom lane ahead while making sure Huni doesn’t get ganged up on.
In the bottom lane, Doublelift and Olleh have been very good this season for Team Liquid. Both players have excelled on other teams before, but it took a while for them to develop chemistry. Olleh is a support that fits right into Doublelift’s comfort zone though. Olleh is always looking to initiate, and that aggression is something that has been part of Doublelift’s M.O. throughout his pro career too.
That leaves it up to the mid laners for each team. Here, Liquid’s Pobelter has the advantage over Echo Fox’s Fenix. Pobelter is a great teamfighter and knows how to position himself well throughout a game. Fenix has had some trouble doing the same, and that will give Liquid the narrow victory.
100 Thieves -169
Clutch Gaming +126
Not many people thought that Clutch Gaming would be able to get past TSM in the Quarterfinals, but Febiven showed why he was worth the money the team spent on him to bring him over from Europe.
Febiven might end up being the MVP of the split. He has put together some memorable performances as Clutch’s mid laner, essentially willing this team to victory at points. He outdueled Bjergsen over the last three games of the series, and that has Clutch feeling very confident heading into its match with the No. 1 seed.
Aphromoo has proved that he’s not just a lovable figure. He has had a chip on his shoulder this offseason after being released by CLG and has been a superstar for 100 Thieves this season. His shotcalling has been exquisite, and he has really unlocked Cody Sun thanks to some of his plays. That led to Cody Sun having the third-highest KDA in North America.
Clutch has a real decent chance to pull off the upset here. 100 Thieves will try to get to the late game and win it there, but Clutch can upset that formula with some good jungle pathing from LirA.
