A Western team has a great chance at getting to the League of Legends World Championship for the first time since 2011. Many, including myself, thought only one or two Western teams would make it to the Quarterfinals of the World Championships, but Fnatic, G2, and Cloud9 all made it through to the knockout rounds. To make things even better, Cloud9 and Fnatic are on the easier side of the bracket.
League of Legends Betting Odds (Courtesy of BetDSI)
KT Rolster -323 Invictus Gaming +229
The most important match-up in this series will be in the mid lane. Invictus’ Rookie is the most talented mid laner at Worlds. He has been fantastic this season, and his 1V1 outplays have been incredible to watch. However, there are times where he presses too hard to try to make something happen for his team. He is constantly trying to push his lane, and he can be punished with his penchant to overextend. Fnatic exploited that in the Group Stage, and that led to Invictus finishing second in Group D.
Ucal has had a fantastic debut season. The 17-year-old sensation replaced Pawn at the start of the year, and his deep champion pool has made a huge difference. He has excelled on bruisers like Swain, Galio, and Yasuo, and that has helped KT find a new level in 2018. Ucal has proven himself a great utility player too. He knows he has strong players elsewhere, and that has led to him taking utility picks that help KT Rolster throughout the match.
That will be the difference in this one. Invictus will win at least one game with their early game pressure, but KT will win the team fights that will decide the series.
Royal Never Give Up -667 G2 +407
This is the lone series where the underdog has absolutely no chance of winning. G2 have a great mid laner in Perkz and a jungler that runs hot or cold in Broxah. They used that combination to make it through the Group Stage for the first time in the organization’s history, but now they are pitted against the best team in the world.
Uzi is the top player in the world right now. The most talented AD Carry we have ever seen has been incredible all year long, and he has led Royal Never Give Up to victories in every major event they have participated in. His skill is unparalleled, and he is impossible to target ban, making G2’s job nigh impossible.
Other teams have a shot at knocking off RNG, but G2 stands no chance. Their bottom lane of Hjarnan and Wadid is too weak, and they are unlikely to win in a 2v2 against Uzi and Ming without some cheese or constant help from Broxah. G2 could win a game in this series, but nothing more.
Afreeca Freecs -385 Cloud9 +265
This is the most intriguing series in the Quarterfinals. Afreeca Freecs were one of the top Korean teams in the world throughout the year, and they were known for their innovative drafting and competitive internal scrims. That’s the same model that Cloud9 found success with in North America.
Cloud9 have been arguably the most imaginative team in the world with their team compositions. Multiple players have played unique champions with top laner Licorice stunting on Hecarim and Singed, Jensen flexing on Zilean, and Sneaky consistently applying pressure via a split push on Quinn. Taking Evelynn into the jungle has failed to work out, but this team isn’t afraid to try new things.
That should lead to some incredible pick and ban phases. Both teams are likely to have at least one pocket pick in store here, and it will be fun to watch. I see Cloud9 challenging Afreeca and winning at least one game, but falling short in the series.
Fnatic -208 Edward Gaming +156
For the first time since 2011, Fnatic have to be a team to watch at the World Championships. The emergence of Caps in the mid lane has been the story of Fnatic this season, and he led the team to a surprising first place finish in Group D. He has often given himself a losing matchup in order to help his team find favorable ones, and that unselfishness has helped this team make new heights.
Edward Gaming are the most up and down team left at the World Championships. They have a strong early game, and they can look like world beaters at times, but this team also makes puzzling missteps constantly. It’s hard to know what you’re going to get from EDG, yet this line is far too low given Fnatic’s strong showing against Invictus. Back the favorites here.
