As we wrap up week six of the LPL, the playoff slots are still up for grabs. With big favorites slipping up and dropping matches, the playoff race is still on. Today’s article will wrap up week six and discuss the first five days of Week 7.
Week 6: Day 6
Match 1: OMG vs LGD
To start off Saturday’s matches, OMG take on LGD. After losing three matches in a row to top-tier teams, OMG is back to crushing mid-tier teams. It seems like OMG will act as the gatekeepers of the LPL. However, LGD could upset them. In their Thursday match versus RNG, they took RNG down in a clean 2:0. Not only was it a clean win, but game one was a wipe-out, ending with a 15K gold lead for LGD. It’s important to note that LGD’s victory versus RNG keeps them alive and in the race for playoffs. With RNG slipping up, another middle of the pack team could try to slip into playoffs if RNG keep underperforming.
Prediction: OMG
Match 2: World Elite vs eStar
Speaking of teams that have been slipping up, eStar is currently on a 3 game losing streak. In the final lap, it seems like eStar have finally run out of gas. And no team is happier than World Elite, who are still in the run for playoffs and are coming off of their win versus TOP. After a messy series that was all over the place, World Elite took down TOP, mixing up the top of the table even more. If eStar win, they are back in the race for the top 2 positions, especially with the trip-ups from the other top tier teams. However, should WE close this out, they tie themselves at 7 wins with OMG and RNG, maintaining a clear shot into playoffs.
Prediction: World Elite
Match 3: RNG vs Rogue Warriors
If you asked anyone a week ago, they would say that this match would be an easy 2:0 and everyone would go home early. Now, however, it seems like that is not the case and the match may be closer then what it seems on paper. Rogue Warrior have been making one final push in an attempt to make it into playoffs. Despite falling just short in their series versus TOP, they did manage to take down Vici, potentially eliminating them from the playoffs. RNG, on the other hand, were looking fine. After losing a close series to IG, they got absolutely bodied by LGD, raising questions about the team. XiaoHu, who was put under pressure in Game 1, finished the game 1/8/1.
Prediction: RNG
Week 6: Day 7
Match 1: Dominus vs Suning
Another match featuring teams in the lower half of the table, Suning and Dominus face off. While both teams are still in the race to make playoffs, neither team has the clearest path to make it. Dominus failed to take down BLG, who were their direct competition at the bottom of the table. And while they did take down Victory Five, so did the rest of the league, so that isn’t much to go by. Meanwhile, Suning continue to look as unstable as ever, with Huanfeng and SwordArt being their strongest lane. They continue to perform irregularly, winning a match and losing the next. They also just lost to OMG, who have been acting as gatekeepers, not to mention their direct competition for a playoff spot.
Prediction: Suning
Match 2: Funplus Phoenix vs EDG
In what will be a very important match, FPX and EDG face off. Both teams are in the top half of the table and are trying to get a playoff bye. FPX were on a tear, winning nine games in a row before they dropped a game to Vici. EDG have also been obliterating their opponents, and are sitting on a four-game win streak. Both teams can still finish in first place in the regular season, although it will be harder for EDG. As RNG, TOP and eStar continue to slip up, EDG and JDG are taking advantage and are officially ready to contest the top of the table.
Prediction: FPX
Match 3: Invictus Gaming vs Bilibili Gaming
In what will be an interesting match, Invictus Gaming will face off against Bilibili. Invictus Gaming did slip and fall 2:0 versus JDG, and Bilibili seem to have finally returned to form. IG still are in the race for first place, and despite their slip up, they are still in first. BLG, on the other hand, is still in the race to make it into playoffs. This match will decide their fate. If they fall to Invictus Gaming, they are pretty much eliminated from the race. However, if they take down IG, they have a decent shot at making it, with their next game being vs LGD and their last game being versus the winless Victory Five. Whether it is too little too late, we are yet to find out, but this match should be a good one.
Prediction: Invictus Gaming
Week 7: Day 1
Match 1: OMG vs eStar
In what will be their final big test, OMG will face off against eStar. OMG are currently on the edge. They are sitting in eighth place and holding the last playoff spot. They have been fending off the teams below them just fine, but when it comes to teams above them on the table, they fall. If they lose here, they are opening the floodgates to the teams below them to try and take their spot. That said, if they manage to take down eStar, the results will be catastrophic for eStar. It will all but guarantee that they lose a top 2 bye and possibly drop out of the top 4 – not to mention that it will catapult OMG passed RNG in the table, forcing them to fend off the lower-half teams.
Prediction: OMG
Match 2: RNG vs LNG
If there ever was a match for RNG to reassure the fans that they are still a top tier team, it would be this one. RNG enter this match with one objective, which is to get a convincing win versus LNG. Many fans have begun to question this team’s capability to tango with the top of the table, but now they have to worry about the bottom of the table too. RNG got smashed by LGD, a team that had all but lost hope in their playoff race. LNG are in a similar situation. They are sitting on a seven game losing streak, and haven’t won since Week 3. The loser of this match is all but guaranteed to not make playoffs.
Prediction: RNG
Match 3: TOP vs Victory Five
Speaking of teams that are in dire need of a redemption story, TOP need to get a win versus Victory Five. Despite sounding like a broken record, Victory Five are yet to get a single win this split. While it is highly unlikely that they will take down TOP, no team wants to be the first to fall to V5. TOP have also been on an unimpressive display of their talents, as they sit on a two-game loss streak. First, they fell versus World Elite, and then Bilibili Gaming, both teams in the lower half of the table. It’s important to note that JackeyLove is yet to start for TOP.
Prediction: TOP
Week 7: Day 2
Match 1: Rogue Warriors vs JD Gaming
JD Gaming and Rogue Warriors will kick off Tuesday’s matches. It is unfortunate that the Warriors have a rough schedule at the lower end of the split, as they are starting to look good. JD Gaming now have Zoom again and are now looking nearly unstoppable. In their last game, JDG took down Invictus Gaming 2:0 putting them on a four-game win streak. JD are looking posed to get a playoff bye and win FPX falling to Vici, first place is still on the table. Rogue Warriors, on the other hand, are still in the race for playoffs. A win here would help them make it in, especially if RNG underperform again.
Prediction: JDG
Match 2: Vici vs Suning
Another battle that will directly affect the race for playoffs, Suning will face Vici. Vici have been all over the place, losing to Rogue Warriors but defeating FPX. And when it comes to being irregular, no one is about as irregular as Suning. With both teams being on the cusp of playoffs but not quite there, a win here will leave one team knocking on the door of playoffs. That said, the team that losses here will have to bend over backward to make it into playoffs. Right now, Vici are one win ahead of Suning but also have a game advantage.
Prediction: Vici
Match 3: LGD vs Bilibili Gaming
This will potentially be the most important for both these teams. Both are in the race for playoffs, but just barely. Additionally, both teams have also begun to heat up at the end of the split. While neither of them are favorites to make it into playoffs, both can still make it in. The loser here, however, is pretty much out of the race, as they both are still on a fine line and an extra loss will lead to near impossible road. Recently, LGD have taken down RNG and BLG have taken down TOP, creating chaos at the top of the table. Only one king-slayer will remain in the race.
Prediction: BLG
Week 7: Day 3
Match 1: EDG vs OMG
Another crucial match for both of these teams, OMG and EDG will face off. OMG are trying to hold on to their playoff spot, and maybe even make it further up the table. EDG, on the other hand, are trying to make into the top four, and will the constant slip-ups from the top table teams, first place is still on the table. This match will organize the top of the table. Should EDG win, OMG is all but locked out of a playoff by. Not to mention that it will make it easier for the bottom of the table teams to overtake them. Should OMG win, EDG basically won’t make it to first and it will make their playoff bye a nightmare.
Prediction: OMG
Match 2: Dominus vs RNG
In another match for RNG to establish their dominance, they need to take down Dominus. Dominus are still technically in the race for playoffs, albeit not in the most favorable position. RNG are still needing to move up in the table, and after they match versus LNG, hopefully, move away from the middle of the table teams. While the fans are still hoping that RNG will make it into the playoff bye, the road ahead of them is tough. They are two games behind the fourth-place team, and while they do have the strength of schedule the road ahead isn’t easy. A convincing win versus Dominus will help convince the fans that they are going to make it.
Prediction: RNG
Match 3: World Elite vs Invictus Gaming
World Elite are hot on the heels of the playoffs teams. They don’t have the same amount of wins as the gatekeeping teams, but they aren’t far behind. With IG falling to JD Gaming, they need to watch out for lower table teams upsetting the table. WE are posed to take over the playoff spots, and if the top of the table teams keep on slipping up WE might just make it in. World Elite are currently three wins behind the top of the table teams, and with only four games remaining in the season, every win counts. Invictus Gaming, on the other hand, will try to distance themselves from the rest of the table and confirm the first place bye.
Prediction: Invictus Gaming
Week 7: Day 4
Match 1: Bilibili Gaming vs Victory Five
In a battle of the bottom of the table teams, Victory Five will be looking at their final best chance to get a win on the board. It’s been a long split for Victory Five, but now they have nothing to lose. BLG are a team that are trying to make it into playoffs. If they fall to Victory Five, they can definitely kiss their playoff spot goodbye. That said, even if they fail to make playoffs, BLG are starting to look like a good team. If they can maintain this level of play for the Summer Split, they will be able to contest the top of the table.
Prediction: BLG
Match 2: LGD vs FPX
FPX will face LGD, in a battle that could decide the fate of both teams. Should FPX win, they all but confirm their playoff bye, and they end LGD’s playoff run. They will reach at least 10 victories, making it near impossible to fall out of the top 4. LGD on the other hand, need a lifeline. They are on a thin line as it is, and could potentially be eliminated before this match. If they are eliminated, they will have nothing to lose. Will the king-slayers that took down both RNG and TOP be able to work their magic again versus FPX?
Prediction: FPX
Match 3: TOP vs eStar
eStar and TOP will face off, in a direct battle for the top of the table. This match will be crucial for both teams. Both are on a thin line to make it into the top four and a loss here will pretty much guarantee their elimination from the race for top four. Neither are the most stable foot, so a win here is vital for both teams. While there is a world where neither make it into the top four, there is also a world where one of them fall out of playoffs altogether. With the bottom of the tables heating up, and both these teams starting to fall, they need to watch out.
Prediction: eStar
Week 7: Day 5
Match 1: LNG vs World Elite
World Elite are still looking to make it into playoffs, and LNG will look to put an end to their loss-streak. LNG haven’t looked the best, and while they might still be in the race for playoffs, they haven’t been able to reestablish themselves. LNG probably are looking towards the Summer Split at this point, as they are all but done with this split. While their final act of the split isn’t this one, they will be looking to knock WE down a peg, possibly ending their playoff run. World Elite will try to crush LNG, in hopes to keep their run alive.
Prediction: World Elite
Match 2: JD Gaming vs Dominus
In a fairly mismatched game, JDG will face Dominus. JD is looking at the very top of the table. With Zoom coming back to the team, JD seem to have gained a second wind and are currently crushing the top of the table. They are looking to take over the top two, potentially finishing as the number 1 seed. Dominus, on the other hand, are at the bottom of the barrel. They could come into this match already eliminated, and so they will have nothing to lose. It will take a movement and a half if Dominus want to take down JDG, but if they are freed of pressure, they just might make it.
Prediction: JDG
Match 3: EDG vs Invictus Gaming
The final match that we will cover today, EDG and IG will face off in a top of the table clash. IG are currently the top of the table team, but recent matches have shown that the gods can bleed. EDG are looking to make their moves to the top of the table, but have two large roadblocks in their way. After facing FPX, they will face IG. These matches could decide their fate. If they win both, they are possed to take first. But should they lose both, they will drop down to join OMG, in the potentially dangerous zone. The final match of Friday should be an absolute banger.
Prediction: Invictus Gaming
And that wraps up the look at Week 7. After these matches, there will only be three more days of games, before the end of Spring Split.
You can ‘Like’ The Game Haus on Facebook and ‘Follow’ us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from other great TGH writers.
Follow JJ on Twitter: @NeonColouredJay.