The last week of the second round-robin brings with it some very important matchups. Normally this would be the final games of the Split but luckily fans still have four more weekends of games before the season ends. There have been some changes including the very rare trade for the teams as the LCS continues to figure out what it wants. With that, before Week 6 begins, here is a look at where each LCS team stacks up.
[Related: LCS 2021 Summer Split Week 4 Power Rankings]
10. FlyQuest (Even)
A 10 game losing streak is definitely enough to merit change. FlyQuest traded Licorice to GG and they will start their entire Academy roster of Kumo, Nxi, Triple, Tomo and Diamond this weekend in an attempt to figure out their future. There is no doubt that Palafox deserves to keep his spot but the other four lineup spots should be wide open. This weekend the young FLY players will get their chance to either prove themselves for the first time or show that they deserve another chance for the rest of this season and next. Crazy enough, FlyQuest are still tied for the last place playoff spot so if they can find some semblance of success they can sneak into the playoffs.
9. CLG (Down 2)
It was all looking so good for CLG and then very quickly it wasn’t. They are now on a six-game losing streak and are barely holding on to that coveted eighth playoff spot. Making playoffs is the ultimate goal for CLG after years of being at the bottom. This team has to find a way to win and it needs to happen this weekend. They get TSM but then they get the young FLY team previously mentioned and a DIG team that still hasn’t figured everything out. Even a 1-2 weekend would go a long way for CLG.
8. Golden Guardians (Even)
Solo has never been and still was not the problem. Unfortunately for Solo though, he is older and is a known commodity at this point. Picking up Licorice makes GG much more of a threat even if he has been struggling on FLY. It was clear he was either not happy, not comfortable or both since being traded. Golden Guardians are a young team that is on the rise and this should be a great opportunity for both the team and Licorice as playoffs loom. They may struggle a bit this weekend considering their schedule as well as having a new player but Golden Guardians are finding their current and future team.
7. Dignitas (Up 2)
Wins over Golden Guardians and TSM are certainly a step in the right direction for Dignitas. Neo and aphromoo continue to prove that they are some of the best players at their position while the rest are slowly finding their way. DIG are on an upswing but have a very important weekend against TL and C9, two teams that are struggling but still some of the best in the LCS. Another 2-1 week could go a long way in building confidence at a crucial time for Dignitas.
6. Immortals (Even)
Immortals continue to be the gatekeepers to the top teams in the league. With losses to C9 and TSM but a win over Dignitas they are proving that they are the middle-of-the-road team. When looking at their win and loss totals this year the only top-five team they have a winning or even .500 record against is Evil Geniuses. Luckily for IMT they are still holding onto the seventh playoff spot and are only two games back of Dignitas. Seeing as they have the easier schedule this weekend, IMT could move their way up to the sixth spot as early as Sunday.
5. Team Liquid (Down 1)
Team Liquid are starting to become more similar to Immortals than the top four teams. It is sad to see how far they are falling but if Alphari is actually back this weekend like many fans have been hoping for the past two weekends, then their fortunes could change rather quickly. They have by far the easiest schedule this weekend and are in a position to watch as the other top teams beat each other up. Hopefully, this easy schedule will make it so Alphari can come back and gain confidence before their final three-week run at a top playoff spot.
4. Evil Geniuses (Up 1)
While it is easy to say, “they didn’t play anyone” when looking at the EG 3-0 Week 5, they still went 3-0. In the LCS most teams outside of 100 Thieves are still dropping occasional games to teams below them. Either way, EG have a very different slate this weekend. They have Immortals who have had their number this season and then 100 Thieves and Cloud9. If Evil Geniuses want to prove that they are a team that should be heading to Worlds, this is a great weekend to show it.
3. Cloud9 (Even)
Right now Cloud9 are clearly not the top team that they were. They are struggling to get leads and making odd choices. That said they are still third and beating everyone who is not TSM or 100 Thieves. There is no doubt that C9 are better than what they are showing and luckily for them, they have four more weeks to find their form. This is a relatively easy weekend for C9 as they get a break from the two aforementioned teams so they should be looking for a 3-0 to help move them into a potential tie for second place.
2. TSM (Even)
So far this season TSM have shown that they can beat anyone and now they are going to have their chance at taking back the top spot from 100 Thieves. They need to be careful not to underestimate a desperate CLG and a rising Golden Guardians before their Sunday matchup. With that in mind though, TSM are starting to show new styles and bring out new champions while most other teams are still figuring out their rosters. Should they beat 100 Thieves, then they will have the head-to-head tiebreaker against every top team in the LCS.
1. 100 Thieves (Even)
Who would have thought that Abbedagge would come into the LCS and do what many expected Perkz to do? Right now he is playing like an MVP candidate along with FBI and a revitalized Ssumday. This team is absolutely terrifying and are playing like a team that is ready for the international stage. Also, 100 Thieves are probably the only team that wishes this was the last weekend of games as so much could still happen over these last four weeks. It is pretty unlikely but crazier things have happened in the LCS.
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