Game 1: Team SoloMid (17-3) vs. XDG (5-15)
This matchup, on paper, could easily be written off as another win amassed for TSM in their resurgent ascension back to the top of the NA LCS standings this split. However, the previously floundering and struggling XDG have finally come to their senses, bringing back the old structure that earned them the number two spot in the final standings of the 2013 Summer Split; with Zuna returning to AD Carry and Xmithie, previously regarded as possibly the best jungler in North America, reclaiming his natural role as well.
On top of that, they’ve had some much-needed time to practice with their new (perhaps old would be appropriate) lineup structure during the bye week during the IEM World Championship. Bjergsen has not played competitively with TSM for several weeks now while sorting out issues with his work visa.
If there was ever a time to predict a 5-15 League of Legends team would be primed to upset the number one seeded team, it would be in these circumstances after XDG seemingly regained some of their composure since the last time we saw them in action.
Game 2: Curse Gaming (8-12) vs. Team Dignitas (8-11)
These two LCS squads have had, to say the least, a troubling go during this split. Dignitas, after putting forth a surprisingly dominant winning streak over two weeks in the early stages of the season, has seemingly dropped off a cliff since, clinging onto fourth place at the moment. Right behind them is Curse, a team that prides itself on bringing an unorthodox style of play to the professional scene. That style, though, has seen them through three different supports, including fan favorite SaintVicious, who when in play drastically altered the team’s shot calling situation, before recently switching to new Curse player BunnyFufuu.
While Curse has gone through a hectic phase with their roster changes, they can still take confidence in the fact that they are already 2-0 in the series versus Dignitas this year, and had a season high team KDA of 5.6 in week 8. Meanwhile, after having an insane 8.8 team KDA all the way back in week 2, Dignitas has failed to reach the 3.0 mark since. With all this in mind, Curse has to feel pretty good going into their match on Saturday.
Game 3: Team Coast (7-13) vs. Cloud 9 (16-4)
Team Coast’s method to winning games in the LCS is no secret to any who watches regularly: Follow the lead of Shiphtur and Zionspartan to victory. Unfortunately, there’s really no plan B that can save them. While they’ve certainly shown they can occasionally hang with the big dogs (their signature win being the thriller versus TSM), they’ve struggled to develop their gameplay beyond getting Zion and Shiphtur fed enough that they either of them can singlehandedly take over a game.
On the other side, though, Balls has demonstrated sheer dominance in the top lane all split long, a fact that Coast surely will have to consider. In a meta that the top lane is largely considered the least relevant role to the outcome of a game, Coast vs. Cloud 9 will place a huge priority on getting their top laners ahead, something that teams are beginning to do less of as the season has progressed.
Game 4: Evil Geniuses (6-13) vs. Counter Logic Gaming (12-8)
Team EG is, like Curse, a team that prides itself on being different. They are not afraid to pull something seemingly random out of a hat, their Soraka/Urgot bot lane (in a winning debut!) and Snoopeh’s vast champion pool that he’s not scared to employ. For the most part, EG’s tricks have not worked out, especially of late, as noted by their abysmal 0.4 team KDA in week 7 followed by a lowly 1.8 performance in week 8.
The season series is at 1-1 right now, but CLG has looked destructive in recent weeks highlighted by an unbelievable 16.8 team KDA in week 6. This is, in large part, thanks to the gelling with EU jungle product Dexter. After finally making his way over to the US mid-split due to visa issues, the team is starting to gel with each other. Along with coach Montecristo’s rotational impressions, the team has looked like a legitimate challenger to both Cloud 9 and TSM for the rights to be called North America’s top team. After a Summer Split where Cloud 9 absolutely demolished the entirety of the NA LCS, we’re two months into the Spring Split with potentially three world-class teams on our hands, along with fan favorite LMQ waiting in the wings in the challenger scene.
