The LCS Spring Split enters Week 7, as teams do their best to finish strong and make it into playoffs. Immortals sits at a 50 percent win rate, a 6-6 record, tied for third place. They have six matches left–100 Thieves and Team Liquid in Week 7, TSM and FlyQuest in Week 8, and Dignitas and Evil Geniuses in Week 9. These final matches will determine where Immortals finishes going into playoffs. Considering their performance thus far (see below) here are a few possibilities to consider.
The Optimistic View (Repeat Performance)
- Week 7: Immortals beats 100 Thieves and Team Liquid: 2-0
- Week 8: Immortals beats TSM, but loses to FlyQuest: 1-1
- Week 9: Immortals loses to Dignitas and Evil Geniuses: 0-2
- End scoreline for the split: 9-9
If Immortals beats 100 Thieves, Team Liquid and TSM, while losing to FlyQuest, Dignitas and Evil Geniuses, they come out with an even scoreline. This is usually good enough for playoffs, fifth or sixth place. However, OpTic Gaming had a 9-9 scoreline in Summer 2018 and missed, because Cloud9 and TSM surged at the end of that split. Unfortunately, Team Liquid looks much stronger than they did when they last faced Immortals, and Immortals looks worse.Â
The Realistic View (Win/Lose Based on Standings)
- Week 7: Immortals beats 100 Thieves, but loses to Team Liquid: 1-1
- Week 8: Immortals loses to TSM and FlyQuest: 0-2
- Week 9: Immortals beats Dignitas and Evil Geniuses: 2-0
- End scoreline for the split: 9-9
The same end scoreline, just different wins and losses along the way. Immortals would lose to TL, TSM and FLY, while winning over 100, DIG, and EG. On paper, this could actually happen and most fans would not bat an eye. As mentioned above, a 50 percent win rate is usually good enough for playoffs. However, Immortals has not been consistent with their performances relative to the perceived strength of their opponent.Â
The Pessimistic View (Mixed Performance)
Week 7: Immortals beats 100 Thieves, but loses to Team Liquid: 1-1
- Week 8: Immortals loses to TSM and FlyQuest: 0-2
- Week 9: Immortals beats either Dignitas or Evil Geniuses, but loses to the other: 1-1
- End scoreline for the split: 8-10
A more realistic projection has Immortals losing to Team Liquid, TSM and FlyQuest. They should win over 100 Thieves, but only end up beating one between Dignitas or Evil Geniuses, not winning or losing both. Immortals, Dignitas and Evil Geniuses have all had issues with consistency, so their matches feel more like coin flips. This 8-10 scoreline would have Immortals most likely missing playoffs. In Summer 2019, OpTic made playoffs with an 8-10 record, but they were tied with Golden Guardians and 100 Thieves. They had to win two tiebreakers to skate into sixth.Â
CREDITS
Images from LoL Esports’ Flickr
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