SK Telecom T1 got a little bit of revenge over the weekend by knocking off KSV to keep its hopes of running the gauntlet to win the LCK Spring Split alive. SKT dominated all three games of the series, but an incredible Baron steal and come from behind victory gave KSV a stunning win in the second game and put the pressure on SKT to close out the decisive third game. SKT did just that with another great performance in order to send the defending World Champions crashing out of the playoffs.
Now, SKT has its sights set on an old rival. KT Rolster had a solid split, but went relatively unnoticed with other storylines gripping Korea. KT will look to upend their nemesis and move to the semifinals of the LCK Spring Split. The winner will go on to face the Afreeca Freecs.
LCK Spring Split Playoffs Betting Odds (Courtesy of BetDSI)
KT Rolster -217
SK Telecom T1 +152
History
These two teams have been two of the best in Korea for the last few years, but SKT has always been able to get the victories that mattered. Last year, KT was supposed to be the superteam that was going to end SKT’s dynasty and reign supreme at Worlds. However, KT lost in the Spring Split finals to SKT and couldn’t get past the teams that emerged over the latter part of the year to miss out on Worlds.
This spring, KT has gotten the better of SKT. KT won both series against SKT by a combined game score of 4-1. However, KT has still yet to beat SKT in the postseason.
Match-up to Watch
What happens in the top lane will go a long way to deciding this series. KT has one of the best top laners in the world in Smeb. Smeb has had another great split, proving that he can continue to control his lane in this meta. He has played a ton of Gnar into match-ups that weren’t the easiest to win, but he has come out on the better side of things more often than not.
Where he really shines though is on carry champions. He has been fantastic on Gangplank and Camille this season and looked great the last time we saw him on Vladimir. Smeb has the potential to snowball his lane and make things much easier for his teammates.
Top lane is an area that has been an issue for SKT all year. The team has juggled Thal and Untara in the position, but lately it seems as if Thal is the primary choice. He received all three of the starts against KSV over the weekend and did well on carry champions like Gangplank and Cassiopeia.
However, Thal has not proven he can play a tank if the situation calls for it. That’s a major weakness as Smeb is going to opt into a skill matchup with him more often than not and will likely win. If he can’t hold his own or be a competent tank against Smeb, SKT is in trouble.
Key Player
It looks likely that Ucal will get the start in the mid lane for KT, and a lot of attention will be paid to how he performs against Faker. Ucal has emerged as a potential star in the mid lane, and he supplanted PawN as the team’s primary mid laner late in the split. He has shown a real knack for playing Azir, and he crushed his counterpart in the two games he played the OP champion Swain.
Ucal was sharp in his one game against Faker earlier this split, but Faker has far more experience on this stage and will have some tricks up his sleeve. For SKT to win, Faker likely needs to win his battle in the mid lane, putting the pressure on Ucal in his first postseason.
Prediction
This is where SKT’s season ends. It will no doubt be disappointing to the three-time World Champions, but there are too many issues. They have struggled in the top lane, the jungle, and at support, leaving Faker and Bang with too many fires to put out.
Outcome: KT Rolster wins the series 3-1 and advances to face Afreeca Freecs
