The LEC is back for the Winter with some teams making a lot of changes and only one squad sticking with at least four players from 2023. Each of these teams will be duking it out to not only win an LEC Championship but also to get the chance to go to MSI. This new format will certainly throw a wrinkle into things but the fans should get some great games. For those who like to put some money down on who they think will win, here are the LEC Picks for Week 2 of the 2023 Winter Split.
[Related: LEC Power Rankings: 2023 Winter Split Week 2]
Overall Pick Record for 2023: 9-6
Pick Record from LEC 2023 Winter Week 1: 9-6
AST vs. VIT
Arguably the best team against the worst team? Upsets are fun to pick but this is not one of them. Vitality take this one and move to 4-0.
FNC vs. BDS
This game may actually be closer than people think. It really will come down to Rekkles. Will Rekkles find his form or will he allow for Crownie to push him around? It is without much confidence that this pick will be Fnatic but again, not a whole lot of confidence in this FNC team just yet.
KOI vs. TH
This is another game that may be closer than people think but, the betting money should still be on KOI. Even with Jackspektra rising up the ranks, Comp is still clearly the best ADC in the west. Add onto this that Malrang had Jankos number the last time they faced off and this one goes the way of KOI.
SK vs. G2
Not really much to be said here. Markoon would need to have the game of his life to carry SK to a victory. G2 win this game 99 times out of 100.
XL vs. MAD
In a Xerxe vs. Elyoya, the bets should almost all be on Elyoya. He didn’t look like his, “I can solo carry this game whenever I want” self, but Elyoya still had a strong start along with the rest of MAD. This team is strong and so are XL when they are at their best. Problem is, XL have not found their best yet.
First upset of the week incoming. Astralis are better than what they showed in week 1 and then they had to play Vitality to start week 2. It is not a great start to the season for either team but Astralis will come out firing in this game and 113 will have the best game of his very young LEC career.
Vitality have already earned themselves the auto-pick for games against lower-tier teams. SK will put up a fight but Bo, Perkz and Neon will squash it out with relative ease as they coast to 5-0.
This game feels like it is in upset territory. G2 are known to get a bit cocky and a team on the rise like Team Heretics could certainly take advantage of it. There is no doubt that G2 are the better team and thus they will be picked to win. That said, if TH are able to pull off the upset, do not be surprised.
This is going to be one of the games of the week. Excel will come in limping while Fnatic will have won most of their games, but not in a convincing fashion. This is the Vetheo and Odo game though. they will be just angry enough that they are not flaming their team, but instead will take it out on an unsuspecting Fnatic squad to get their second win of the Split.
Another banger game and another one that will be close. The difference will be that Comp and Larssen are able to takeover the game in teamfights. Carzzy and Nisqy are certainly good and right behind Comp and Larssen, but the better carry duo will carry the day.
Finally, a chance to breathe for Excel. Well, maybe. This Astralis team should not be overlooked but at this point XL may be desperate. Unfortunately for Astralis, they will be standing in the way of this desperation. XL are the better talent at every position and that should be enough for them to get the win.
There is a chance that MAD are 2-3 heading into this game, which is surely below their expectations. MAD has to beat the teams that are below them. BDS have the ability to upset but MAD should be able to hold them off as their teamfighting and laning are just better.
Exakick is probably not having a great time at this point and going up against Comp, yes the guy who this author is praising ad nauseam, will continue that bad time. KOI are the better team at literally every position and should be able to find a win here.
Game of the week and nothing else will suffice. These likely 5-0 teams will meet on the battlefield and will be looking to see who comes out less bloody. The slight edge will be given to G2 as it really feels as though they have their identity. Along with that, BrokenBlade is clearly the strongest top laner, potentially in the West, and should be able to show Photon a thing or two. This game will be close to start but G2 will pull ahead at a major objective and hold onto the lead.
Many will think this is an easy game, but that will entirely depend on Rekkles. Can he show Jackspektra what it is like to be arguably one of the best western players of all time or will the new blood remind him why he was playing against him in tier two in 2022? The bot lane will be focus but it will be Razork and Wunder who help Fnatic find their dub here.
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