Week 8 of the LPL 2022 Spring Split is about to get underway, marking the begging of the end of the spring round-robin. As of this articles release, no teams are mathematically eliminated, nor have any teams officially booked their playoff spot. However, teams like Victory Five and Weibo Gaming are approaching that all important win number 12 to confirm their playoff spot. While teams like World Elite and ThunderTalk Gaming are nearing the end of their run.
Week 7: Day 5
Match 1: LGD vs Weibo Gaming
While day five is usually on Friday, due to week 7 being a shorter one, day five’s matches are on Saturday. LGD have done well for themselves, managing to take down Invictus Gaming who were on somewhat of a hot streak. However, this match against Weibo should prove to be a much greater challenge. That said, Weibo has recently slipped up against RNG, so there is a small possibility that LGD could walk away with the win.
Meanwhile, Weibo Gaming fans are wondering what went wrong up against RNG. Weibo were previously undefeated for eight series, the second longest winning streak, second only to T1’s undefeated run in the LCK. However, this was brought to a halt by RNG, a team whose previous match was a clean 2:0 loss to Rare Atom. While it was just a single slip up, it could end up costing Weibo Gaming first place in the round robin, as now they need Victory Five to slip up as well.
Prediction: Weibo Gaming
Match 2: Anyone’s Legend vs Invictus Gaming
Saturday’s second match should be a good one. Not too long ago, Anyone’s Legend were looking like a competitive team again, that could look to make a late playoff run. However, as of late, it feels like that mojo has run dry. The team is falling back on previous bad habits and are back on struggle street. It’s still not too late, but if AL have any plans of making it to playoffs, they need to improve now, in the final weeks, before it’s too late.
Up against them are Invictus Gaming, a team that was also on a good run of form recently. After a rough start to the split, Invictus Gaming managed to catch up to the teams currently sitting in the playoff positions. However, last week, against LGD, they dropped the ball and lost a match that was key to keep them tied with Rare Atom in the race for tenth place. IG need to use this match to bounce back and get back in the race, if they are to have any chance at making playoffs.
Prediction: Invictus Gaming
Match 3: EDG vs RNG
Saturday’s third and final match features the LPL classic of RNG vs EDG. RNG will be feeling good after taking down the previously first placed Weibo Gaming. The main question is can RNG keep up a consistent level of performance. In the span of two weeks, they have defeated LNG and Weibo Gaming, two teams that when RNG faced them, they were at the top of the table. But they also got crushed by Rare Atom, a team that is starting to climb the table now.
Speaking of consistency, or lack thereof, EDG also need to return to their balanced form. While their loss to Victory Five was acceptable, their loss to Top Esports wasn’t. To make matters worse, they had the advantages against the second team, but failed to execute and threw the series away. And while yes, Top Esports are on a winning streak recently, it doesn’t forgive some of the simple mistakes that EDG made that cost them the series.
Prediction: EDG
Week 6: Day 6
Match 1: Victory Five vs Ultra Prime
Currently leading the pack in the LPL. Victory Five is at the top of their game. Rich is starting to have consistent performances, Karsa and Rookie seem to have been made for each other, and Photic and PPgod have stepped up to the plate as a top-tier bot lane. With Weibo tripping and falling over RNG, Victory Five have a clear shot at finishing the round-robin in first, skipping the first part of the playoffs altogether and starting at the double-elimination round four of playoffs. Now it’s just a matter of V5 being consistent.
Meanwhile, Ultra Prime are officially caught up in the mess that is the middle of the table. Only two wins separate eight placed JDG from thirteenth placed Invictus Gaming, and Ultra Prime are right there in twelfth. That means that playoffs is still well within their grasp, but that means that they have to be proactive and to reach out and take it. While against the likes of Victory Five that may be hard, having a good showing against the number one team is a great way to start a late season run.
Prediction: Victory Five
Match 2: OMG vs Rare Atom
The second match of the day features two teams also caught up in the mess mentioned above. Rare Atom are on an absolute tear as of recently, amounting to five wins in a row. And it came at the perfect time, not too late in the season but also not too early that they can run out of gas at the last minute. Two weeks ago, Rare Atom were one of the worst teams in the LPL, fighting with TT at the bottom of the table. Now, they are easily looking like a playoff team.
And speaking of running out of gas, OMG is the perfect example why starting your season out strong as a middle-of-the-pack team isn’t always the best. OMG currently have five wins, placing them in tenth place and taking the final playoff spot. However, if you consider that three of those five wins were in week one and we are now approaching week 8, that means that in 7 weeks they only won two more series. As a team that wants to make playoffs, that is unacceptable.
Prediction: Rare Atom
Match 3: Top Esports vs LNG
The final match of week 7 features two teams on opposite trajectories. LNG are on a massive losing streak, with three losses in a row. While all three were to teams in the top four, that is irrelevant to a team that should be fighting for the top spots. If this trend continues, they could end up playing round 1 of the playoffs, having to fight their way back up to the top. For a team that many had as a top 4, even top 2 teams, that is unacceptable.
Meanwhile, Top Esports have started to play at the level that many expected of them. Adding Wayward and Mark to their roster has given them a second wind, and they are now fighting to break into the top 6. They are currently tied with BLG and LNG in wins. If they manage to take down LNG, they will tie with EDG and RNG. A top four, even top two finish is still a possibility to Top Esports. Now it’s just a matter of if they can keep it up.
Prediction: Top Esports
LPL 2022 Spring Split Week 8: Day 1
Match 1: FunPlus Phoenix vs Team World Elite
Team World Elite will once again start off the week. They are continuing to struggle and to rotate their players. At this point, it feels like they will be the first team to be mathematically eliminated, and are just trying to find what they feel works best for them. While a massive run in summer is still a possibility, having a poor start to the year is usually never a positive sign, especially when it comes to the bigger picture, which is making Worlds at the end of the year.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix isn’t looking too hot right now either. While they did undergo massive changes during the off-season, many still expected them to be a playoff roster, or at least be a competitive team. However, they are one a massive losing streak, going on four series without a win, with five being the a real possibility as they face BLG shortly after the release of this article. Even if they win this match, if it’s not convincing, FPX could be in real trouble when it comes to the playoff race.
Prediction: FunPlus Phoenix
Match 2: Anyone’s Legend vs EDG
The second match of the day features EDG and AL. EDG will want to return to the top of the table. With Weibo Gaming still dropping series, it is very possible for EDG to still finish in the top-two. They also have to watch their six, as Top Esports, RNG and BLG are all back in the race and eager to take their spot. Finishing in second means skipping all the way to the fourth round of playoffs, while finishing in fifth means you have to play in round two. EDG cannot afford to drop any more games.
On the other side of summoner’s rift, Anyone’s Legend are in trouble. They are stating to fall behind the other teams in the playoff race, being two wins behind the tenth placed team and will a rough schedule ahead of them. While yes, that does mean that if they manage to pick up a few upset wins then momentum will massively favour them, it will be an uphill battle, that they could have avoided all together had they kept up their momentum from a few weeks ago. It could end up being too little too late for the side of Anyone’s Legend.
Prediction: EDG
LPL 2022 Spring Split Week 8: Day 2
Match 1: LNG vs JD Gaming
Tuesday will kick off with LNG facing off against JDG. LNG will be happy in the first match against a team that isn’t on a hot streak for a while, but that means that the pressure will be on. If they trip and fall over the likes of JDG, then it will be all but certain that they will fall out of the top echelons of the LPL. They could end up having to play in the first round of playoffs, no different from where they played both splits last year. LNG need to find their form now before it is too late.
Meanwhile, JDG will want to secure their spot ahead of the pack that is currently climbing the table in the hopes of making playoffs. The past few weeks have been rough for JDG, who after their massive winning streak have returned to being inconsistent. This is possibly the worst time for this to happen, as multiple teams are right behind them and they hold the eighth spot. Many teams are rooting for them to continue with their inconsistent form so they can steal JDG’s spot in the final weeks.
Prediction: LNG
Match 2: Victory Five vs Bilibili Gaming
The second match of the day should be an incredible one. This is Victory Five’s last major opponent. If they manage to beat BLG here, they are heavy favourites in their last remaining matches. Should they keep up a high level of performance and show consistency, Victory Five could end their first split in partnership with Ninjas In Pyjamas in first place during the round-robin. Not bad for a team who last summer went 0:16.
Meanwhile, right when it seems like BLG had bounced back from their rough series of losses, they lost again to Top Esports. And to add insult to injury, Top Esports is now right beside them in the standings. The situation is getting dire for BLG, as they don’t have much room for air. With the way things are going now, either them or LNG will have to start in the first round of playoffs. And with LNGÂ likely having the much easier time against JDG, things aren’t looking too good the LPL’s super team.
Prediction: Victory Five
LPL 2022 Spring Split Week 8: Day 3
Match 1: Ultra Prime vs ThunderTalk Gaming
Wednesday starts off with a lighter match, featuring ThunderTalk Gaming and Ultra Prime. ThunderTalk Gaming did manage to find a win against FPX, so they now have that going for them. However, it isn’t much as they are still significantly behind the rest of the playoff pack. However, it still isn’t too late to start climbing. And this match is against a team that right above them in the standings. If they manage to do well and beat UP, they could try adding their name to the playoff mix.
Meanwhile, Ultra Prime have the perfect opportunity to kick a team out of playoffs. While it was unlikely that ThunderTalk were ever going to make it, removing one more team from the face is always a good idea. Also, it’s a positive for them as all they have to do is beat a team below them in the standing to remain in the race, while teams like JDG have much scarier opponents.
Prediction: Ultra Prime
Match 2: RNG vs LGD
The second match of the day is another LPL classic. RNG and LGD are two of the oldest organizations in the LPL, but sadly, only one of them have been competitive as of late. RNG have had their rough spots this split, but when push comes to shove, it seems like RNG always deliver. Xiaohu in particular has been a shining light for the side of RNG, as he was many times in the past. After dominating last year in the top lane, he’s proven that he can still do it again from the mid lane.
Meanwhile, LGD continue with their trend from the past few years. The have a rough time in the spring but try to come back for the summer. However, it seems like this year, their spring roster could still make some noise. While they are a bit further behind the playoff race, they are still in it. After stopping IG in their tracks, if they put on a good level of performance against RNG, they could walk away with a surprise win.
Prediction: RNG
LPL 2022 Spring Split Week 8: Day 4
Match 1: Invictus Gaming vs Team World Elite
Another match between two of the oldest orgs in China, Team WE will take on IG. However, this time, neither of the two teams are in a positive spot at the moment. Team WE are currently having their worst performance ever, with only a single series win so far in the split. While the team has always focused more on developing young players, it is quite the fall from grace from their summer performance, where they finished in fifth place, nearly making it all the way to Worlds.
Meanwhile, Invictus Gaming are another team that also underwent massive changes from their previous roster. So much like WE, it was understandable that they would have a drop in their performance from last year. However, considering that last summer their failed to make playoffs, with Rookie and TheShy on the roster, if they manage to make it this split, it should be viewed as a net positive for the team and the organization.
Match 2: FunPlus Phoenix vs OMG
The second match of the day could end up decided the fate of both of these teams. Both of them are around the playoff mark, either just making it or just falling short. After both having positive starts to their splits, both of these teams have fallen to the wayside, and have been upstaged by teams that seemed hungrier than they were to make playoffs. This could very well be the match that decided which one of these teams will make playoffs and which ones will miss out completely.
Of course, these aren’t the only possibilities. There is the chance that this match ends up being of no relevance and both teams end up missing out on playoffs. Neither of these teams have been exactly awe-inspiring as of late, and with hungry teams like Invictus Gaming and Ultra Prime right around them, they could both end up losing their spot. But this match will most likely decide which one of the will remain in the race and maybe get a second win at the final sprint, and who will have to most likely wait for the next split to come around.
Prediction: OMG
LPL 2022 Spring Split Week 8: Day 5
Match 1: ThunderTalk Gaming vs JD Gaming
Friday’s first match features TT and JDG. This is a match that JDG should be very happy about. After a rough couple of matches, especially their one against LNG, JDG should be more than happy to face the likes of TT. As a team that will likely have to fight to the end to confirm their playoff spot, any win over an easier team is welcomed. In the end, this one match could end up being the difference maker in JDG’s run.
Meanwhile, ThunderTalk Gaming have the chance to ruin another team’s run. Every end of LPL season, the story remains the same. A team was doing well enough to make playoffs, only to fall to a team that was already eliminated from the race. This has happened many times in the past and TT will want to do the same this split. And what a couple of teams they have the opportunity to spoil. Ultra Prime and JDG are both potentially the perfect teams to fall victim to TT’s web.
Prediction: JD Gaming
Match 2: Rare Atom vs Ultra Prime
Speaking of the devil, Ultra Prime have the chance to play spoilers themselves. While they are only two wins behind Rare Atom, tempo doesn’t favour them as Rare Atom are on a massive winning streak. However, if Ultra Prime manage to halt them, not only does it make their chances of making playoffs much higher, it makes RA’s live much harder. Despite all the ups and downs they’ve experienced this split, Ultra Prime can still make it in the end.
Meanwhile, Rare Atom are on cloud nine. After seeimingly being down and out of the competition, they’ve bounced back at the perfect time. Much like their previous match, Rare Atom are going up against one of their direct competitors. If they manage to continue on their hot streak, they could be responsible for the elimination of yet another team, pushing they away even further from the playoff race.
Prediction: Rare Atom
Match 3: Top Esports vs Weibo Gaming
The final match of today’s article feature Top Esports and Weibo Gaming. This match should be the best one of the entire week, as it will mean so much to both of these teams. Weibo Gaming have to prove that their match against RNG was just a fluke and that they are still worth of finishing in the top two. Top Esports are their highest ranking opponents remaining, and a win here would all but solidify them as a top two team.
Meanwhile, Top Esports want more. Currently on a five-match winning streak, Top Esports are making the top teams look like fools. They took down EDG, they took down BLG, and they have the momentum to take down LNG as well. While Weibo Gaming have been playing better than these teams, Top Esports definitely have the mojo to take on the likes of them. And should Top Esports win, then it feels like a top-two finish is a real possibility for the team.
Prediction: Weibo Gaming
And that concludes the preview of the final two days of week 7, as well as the first five days of week 8. Be sure to come back next time, to read about the last matches of Week 8, as well as the first few matches of Week 9.
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