The fourth week of the LPL is already right around the corner. Not only does it still feel like anybody’s game, it feels like that there are no accurate power rankings. When this article is written, only four teams still remain undefeated, WE, EDG, RNG, and LNG. Keep in mind that EDG will play in the morning of this article’s publication, and while they do seem to be in great form, they are against JDG. Either way, week four is already far enough in the split that most teams should have picked up at least a win. If a team starts week 5 with zero match wins on the board, playoffs start to really seem like a distant goal.
Week 3: Day 6
Match 1: Top Esports vs LGD
Two teams that at the time of this article’s publication are at the bottom of the table will duke it out on Saturday. While many predicted LGD to have a rough start, TOP is the favorite in the eyes of many to win the split. None the less, the current LPL champions are currently 1:2, with losses to Suning and Rogue Warriors.
On the other hand, LGD haven’t been able to show off their full potential yet. Kramer still isn’t back with the team, and so Garvey continues as their carry. LGD had a good enough showing against Victory Five, but against EDG they had a much harder time.
Prediction: TOP
Match 2: FPX vs Suning
Just this week, Tian announced that he would be stepping down as FPX’s starting jungler, due to personal issues and anxiety. This will change the dynamic of how FPX plays, especially since four of their five players have been playing together for so long.
On the other hand, Suning have been struggling. From the top lane down to the support role, Suning have been collectively underperforming. It seems like a few of their plays have fallen back on previous bad habits of theirs. Suning need to return to shape soon if they still want to contest the top of the table.
Prediction: FPX
Week 3: Day 7
Match 1: Rogue Warriors vs Victory Five
Rogue Warriors had an interesting start to the split. After taking down Top Esports, they fell to eStar and then FPX. Many analysts predicted that this team would be wildly unpredictable. This seems to be the case. However, Rogue Warriors will have to start using their unpredictability to their advantage, as they are already 1:3 in the standings.
Victory Five are a team that many have high hopes for, and not just for playoffs. Many agree that a world exists that V5 could fight for a top-four bye. But to remain in the conversation for a top-four bye, V5 need to prove their dominance in their match against Rogue Warriors.
Prediction: V5
Match 2: Team World Elite vs LNG
To wrap up week 3, one of the remaining undefeated teams will be undefeated no longer. LNG haven’t played at all in week 2, and their last match was against ThunderTalk. This team is certainly doing better than many expMected, with Icon even being awarded “best mid laner in weeks 1&2”.
On the other side of the rift, Team World Elite continues to show their dominance. Currently 4:0, they are looking like real contenders for the championship. In both their games against TT, it felt like WE had their feet on the gas pedal and just smashed TT in. ThunderTalk did have their moments of brilliance, especially around their bot lane, but Twilla couldn’t hold back Shanks, who ran away with the games, especially game 2.
Prediction: Team World Elite
Week 4: Day 1
Match 1: EDG vs ThunderTalk Gaming
Speaking of ThunderTalk, they will start off week four, by facing off against EDG. As mentioned above, their bot lane seems to be quite skilled, as SamD and Teeen got multiple 2v2 kills against Jiumeng and Missing. If ThunderTalk is to pick up wins, their bot lane will be the key to victory.
Sadly for them, they seem to be up against one of the best bot lanes in the LPL right now. Viper and Meiko have been performing incredibly, with Viper being awarded “best rookie of weeks 1&2”. While Viper is obviously not a rookie in pro play, the LPL awards the rookie title to players who didn’t play in the LPL before. EDG look incredible, and this should be a fairly one-sided affair.
Prediction: EDG
Match 2: JD Gaming vs Rare Atom
Another team that many expected to be towards the top is JDG. With Xiye coming in, many felt like it was going to be JDG’s championship to win. However, so far the team hasn’t impressed, with Xiye even sitting it out and letting Yagao return. However, mid lane isn’t the only problem, as multiple roles seem to be underperforming so far this split.
Up against them, Rare Atom need to impress in this series. RA smashed Suning, and now is the time to strike while the iron is hot. Should JDG return to form, they will be a formidable opponent, one that would even be favored against Rare Atom. This is RA’s opportunity to pick up a win other teams might not get.
Prediction: Rare Atom
Week 4: Day 2
Match 1: RNG vs Victory Five
In what should be a great match, RNG will take on V5. RNG so far have looked really solid, with XiaoHu fitting well into the top lane. However, it seems like RNG’s mid laner and bot lane carry have really stepped up their game. Cryin picked up a pentakill in their match against OMG, and in the next game, it was Gala’s turn to pick up an unofficial pentakill.
Up against the might of RNG, Victory Five will want to show that they are no slouches. Mole continues to not miss a beat in the mid lane and is trying to establish himself as the best Zoe player in the LPL. He has his work cut out for him up against Cryin, and the mid lane will be key to whoever wants to win this match.
Prediction: RNG
Match 2: LNG vs Bilibili Gaming
In the start of the split, many had BLG as a team that should make the playoffs. However, slowly but surely it seems like fans are starting to shy away from this statement, as BLG are struggling in areas that they arguably shouldn’t. Their bot lane looks great, but the rest of the team can’t seem to get a solid foothold in the game.
On the other side of the rift, LNG so far have performed well. Many had doubts regarding Icon, but he seems to be better then ever. Tarzan also seems to still be a top tier jungler, despite being gone from pro play for a while. Light and Iwandy also have overperformed many fans’ expectations, leading many to see LNG as true threat to the top of the table.
Prediction: LNG
Week 4: Day 3
Match 1: eStar vs FunPlus Phoenix
As mentioned previously, FPX have a new jungler, Bo. However, the interesting thing is that his old team was eStar Young, where he played with Irma and Rat. In his second game as an LPL starter, Bo will be forced to play against his former teammates. There is no doubt that he will want to prove himself, and show them who the true carry was.
So far in the split, eStar have had a solid time. A team that many expected to be a bottom of the table team is currently 2:2 and looking competitive in most of their games. However, against some of the larger teams, they seem to crumble and fall. They got crushed by IG, and FPX are also looking to be in form.
Prediction: FunPlus Phoenix
Match 2: Invictus Gaming vs Rogue Warriors
After a rough couple of matches, losing to both LNG and WE, IG bounced back against eStar. With TheShy showing restained and not overcommitting, IG smashed eStar, with newcomers Wink and Xun leading the charge. It seems that given the right opportunities, IG can be a lot more than just Rookie and TheShy.
As mentioned above, Rogue Warriors are a team that love to throw curveballs. Luckily for them, IG are a team that historically have loved to brawl, so they might get away with a few things that other teams wouldn’t allow. However, Rogue Warriors need to be careful, losing here means they have at least 4 losses.
Prediction: Invictus Gaming
Week 4: Day 4
Match 1: LGD vs Bilibili Gaming
To start off Thursday’s games, BLG will take on LGD. Once again, it seems like BLG isn’t living up to expectations that fans had before the start of the split. With Biubiu, Meteor, and Zeka having a very quiet year so far, what should have been a reliable top side has become a giant question mark.
Up against them, the players on LGD are still hungry for a win. This team has been rebuilt for 2021, and with many young prospects on the team, LGD fans need to patient. That being said, this squad has shown promise, especially around their new jungler Kui. While they aren’t favorites to win, a good showing against BLG bodes well for LGD.
Prediction: BLG
Match 2: OMG vs Suning
Speaking of boding well, OMG is another team that is facing a team that is struggling. While they remain winless, it isn’t due to a lack of trying. Young jungler Aki especially has shown to be a very talented player to watch. While it will be an uphill battle against Suning, it’s not impossible.
Suning is another team that really hasn’t impressed many so far. The same issues that plagued the team last spring seem to be back, and their mediocre gameplay is the result of that. Thing is, the LPL is such a competitive league, that teams can’t afford to simply stop performing well. If Suning slip up here, they will fall dangerously behind the top teams.
Prediction: Suning
Week 4: Day 5
Match 1: LNG vs eStar
eStar and LNG will start off Friday’s action. eStar have been an impressive team so far, with Rat and ShiauC performing well, and H4cker doing a good job in the jungle. While playoffs may be a stretch for this team, they can certainly upset the table and continue with their solid performances.
Up against them, LNG will want to continue to perform well. One of the standout players so far has been Icon, who is one of the league leaders in solo kills. Considering that Irma hasn’t had the most impressive performances, and how Icon bullied around Captain in the mid lane, it could be that we have a resurgence of the LPL hitman.
Prediction: LNG
Match 2: Team World Elite vs RNG
Should WE beat LNG and RNG beat V5, then another undefeated team will fall next Friday. World Elite continue to look like one of the best teams in the LPL, with every lane and player seeming capable of carrying. Not only that, but they seem to have really good drafts, that play to their strengths. World Elite are looking like a raid boss in the LPL.
On the other side of the rift, RNG aren’t any slouches. While many had their doubts about Wei in the jungle and XiaoHu in the top lane, it seems to be working out well so far. If they manage to take down World Elite, then only EDG will stand in their way of being the best team in the LPL right now.
Prediction: Team World Elite
And that concludes the preview of the last two days of the third week of the LPL, as well as the first five days of Week 4. Be sure to come back next Friday, to read about the last matches of Week 4, as well as the first five days of Week 5.
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