Week 6 marks being halfway done with 2022’s LPL Summer Split. Victory Five remain the sole undefeated team, while Team World Elite are the only team that is yet to win. Other than these two extremities, the LPL is well divided, with most teams being only a win or two away from reaching a playoff spot. This next week is chock full of games that could be pivitol to how the Summer Split plays out. Without further ado, here is the preview of the next week’s worth of matches.
LPL 2022 Spring Split Week 5: Day 5
Match 1: Anyone’s Legend vs Ultra Prime
Satuday’s first match features two teams that, initially, looked like they would be fighting for the final playoff spots. However, Ultra Prime has been struggling as of late, and are currently on a three series losing streak. To be fair to Ultra Prime, they did face JDG, WBG and RNG, so it is understandable. But, they will need to prove that those were just rough series and that they can still compete with the other LPL teams. With a current record of 2:4, Ultra Prime need to get a win so they can catch back up with the rest of the playoff teams. They are currently a single win behind FPX.
Meanwhile, Anyone’s Legend has shown to be more than capable. With multiple players overperforming expectations, Anyone’s Legend is currently 4 and 3. A win here would tie them up with the likes of LNG, allowing them to contest the higher end teams and make playoffs comfortably. After maintaining their spring roster, this was far from the expectation set on the team. But it is a welcome surprise. AL will want to keep their head above water, and make playoffs for the first time in their short history as a new organization.
Prediction: Anyone’s Legend
Match 2: Bilibili Gaming vs Weibo Gaming
The second match of the day should be just as good as the first one. The fans of both of these teams have a lot of questions that deserve to be answered. BLG is coming off of a shocking loss to ThunderTalk Gaming. Due to several rough series in a row, BLG have decided to bench Weiwei, promoting their academy jungler to their main roster. While this may seem like an act of desperation, it was, in fact, a needed change. Weiwei never returned to his stellar form that he reached in the past. Even during Spring, when BLG were putting on ok performances, he looked like a shaky member.
Meanwhile, Weibo Gaming are coming off of a loss to Anyone’s Legend. While AL have looked good so far this split, it’s still a rough pill to swallow for Weibo fans. Their team was so far acting as a gatekeeper team. They would lose to team expected to finish in the top six, and would beat the teams expected to not make playoffs. This ensured that WBG kept themselves safe in the playoff race. However, now, they’ve been thrown to the wolfs, as they are only two games away from being outside of the top 10.
Prediction: Weibo Gaming
Match 3:Top Esports vs Royal Never Give Up
The third match of the day should be an absolute showstopper. Both of these teams only have a single loss to their name so far this split, and will want to keep it that way. In a rematch of the spring finals, whoever wins joins JDG as the teams that are right behind V5. But whoever loses will join the likes of EDG in the “third tier” of teams. Both of them will want to keep up right behind Victory Five, in the hopes that they slip up, allowing them to tie them up and take them down. It’s also important to note that both mid laners have been putting on a master class in their performances so far this split.
However, both of these teams have very different ways they tackle their games. RNG have the best bot lane in the LPL right now, maybe even the world. Gala and Ming are in a league of their own, taking over almost every single game that RNG plays. Meanwhile, Wayward and Tian have paired up to become the most lethal top lane and jungle duo in the league. This match will be defined by who gets to play their game better, and have a cleaner execution.
Prediction: RNG
LPL 2022 Spring Split Week 5: Day 6
Match 1: ThunderTalk Gaming vs Invictus Gaming
Sunday’s first match might seem on paper to be a match between two lower placed teams that have no chance to make playoffs. However, both of them have shown moments of brilliance this split. ThunderTalk Gaming is coming off of a massive upset over BLG, bumping them up to 2 wins. This puts them close to FPX, the current tenth placed teams, who only has one more win than they do. While ThunderTalk may have a lot of question marks surrounding their team, if they can keep finding these small windows to keep up with the playoff teams, even if they don’t make it themselves, it will be a huge win.
Meanwhile, Invictus Gaming has managed to take a game off of almost every team they’ve faced. They always seem to find a way to perform well in at least one of their games, but then fall flat in the other two. Invictus Gaming need to find their strength were they can, unless they want to fall completely to the wayside. This match will be a battle to keep with the teams near to playoffs. If TT manages to win, they tie with FPX, and if IG win, they tie up with TT and are a single game behind FPX.
Prediction: ThunderTalk Gaming
Match 2: EDG vs Victory Five
The match of the week is also the final match of the week. Victory Five are back will their full force, as Rookie has returned to the team. Needless to say, they completely crushed Rare Atom and remain as the sole undefeated team in the LPL. What is interesting to note is that they are slowly integrating XLB into their roster. While Karsa played almost every series in spring, this split XLB has split the time almost evenly with the veteran jungler. While of course Karsa plays the important matches, and is expected to start on Sunday, XLB is still seeing a lot more play time than he did in the past.
Meanwhile, EDG are coming off of a surprising loss to OMG. While OMG did throw them off-guard with a Shyvana top lane pick, it’s not much of an excuse. This is the first time in years that EDG lost a series to OMG, and it was far from the expected result for this split. So EDG have some explaining to do in this series against Victory Five.
Prediction: Victory Five
LPL 2022 Spring Split Week 6: Day 1
Match 1:FunPlus Phoenix vs LNG
Week 6 of the LPL summer split will start off with FPX taking on LNG. FPX are currently on a three series winning streak, including a win over the previously undefeated JDG. While they still look a bit shaky at times, hence losing a game to LGD, they do look improved, especially Clid. Previously criticized and viewed as possibly the worst jungler in the LPL in Summer 2022, Clid has started to improve his form, slowly but surely. And up against Tarzan, who has been shaky so far this split too, it is possible that Clid and FPX will just run a muck.
After picking up wins over LGD and IG, many though that LNG were ready to return to the top of the table. And, to be fair, in game 1 against JDG, it truly did seem that way. However, the rest of the series showed that LNG are still making the same dumb mistakes that they were previously, and IG and LGD were simply unable to capitalize properly. With the way that FPX have been playing, it could be a close series.
Prediction: FPX
Match 2:Â JDG vs Rare Atom
Speaking of JDG, they will play in the second match of the day. After a shocking loss to FPX, JDG have shown that they can bleed. And, to be fair, it was known. JDG have had very few clean series so far this split, often tripping over in game one, before coming back and winning the series. And while this is good, as it shows mental fortitude, it also shows JDG’s weakness. While that weakness is unlikely to be exploited by a team like RA, it is a solid opportunity for JDG to start getting cleaner wins. A clean, 2:0 stomp over Rare Atom is just want JDG needs after a shaky week.
Meanwhile, Rare Atom are officially on struggle street. While they did managed to pick up a win, it was against WE, the weakest team in the LPL. Rare Atom have looked uninspiring, with few positive points to their name. Other than Strive in the mid lane, none of the Rare Atom members look like they playing at a playoff worthy level. This is especially true around their bot lane, which has been abysmal so far this split. And to add insult to injury, JDG’s bot lane has looked phenomenal so far, being easily a top 5 bot lane.
Prediction: JD Gaming
LPL 2022 Spring Split Week 6: Day 2
Match 1: Royal Never Give Up vs Team World Elite
Tuesday’s first match should be a very one sided one. As mentioned previously, RNG have the best bot lane in the LPL right now. Despite the meta bot lane carries not being Gala’s historically best picks, he has performed almost perfectly on them so far this split. With games on Jinx, Aphelios, Zeri, Kai’Sa, Senna, Lucian and Ezreal, Gala has jumped around according to what he feels is best for each given match. And while sure, it doesn’t always work out for him, such as their series loss to Victory Five, there is little doubt in anyones mind that so far, Gala has been the best bot lane carry in the LPL.
Ironically, Gala is up against possibly the worse carry in Smlz. Unable to press lane advantages, unable to pump out the damage in team fights and getting caught out all the time, this split has been a dumpster-fire for Smlz. Actually, that feeling can extend to all of WE. While their individual pieces aren’t per say horrible, they cannot seem to make them fight together as a team. This was showcased in their latest series against OMG, where they were simply unable to team fight.
Prediction: Royal Never Give Up
Match 2 OMG vs Top Esports
The second series of the day should be a much better one. OMG has bounced back from their horrible start to the split, catching up to the other teams at 4:4. With a very solid top side of the map, OMG have started to play through their strongest points. Namly Shanji, who has been playing incredibly well so far this split. With picks like Shyvana and Rumble, Shanji has managed to dominate his top lane opponents and tends to take over the game from there. Aki and Creme also provide the backup that Shanji needs, acting as a three-man goon squad, running up to the enemy team.
The problem with that, is that Top Esports also play through the top side. And while Shanji has had an incredible split so far, Wayward is arguably the best top laner in the LPL right now. While Aki has shown to be a very capable jungler, he is up against Tian, who has been the jungler of the split alongside Kanavi. And while Creme has been amazing, he will be up against Knight, so the odds are not in his favor. Not to mention that JackeyLove and Mark will more than likely just skill check OMG’s bot lane at every turn, so a bot lane carry match is unlikely.
Prediction: Top Esports.
LPL 2022 Spring Split Week 6: Day 3
Match 1:Bilibili Gaming vs LGD
Wednesday’s first match should be a good one. BLG and LGD are about evenly matched right now, with BLG severely underperforming and LGD finding a playstyle that works for them. BLG are expected to continue playing with their new jungler, Can, and it is unknown who will start in the mid lane. It is possible that Fofo returns, but it is likely that Icon will start for the side of BLG. They desperately need to pick up some wins, as they are falling even further behind the playoff teams. If BLG are unable to pick up a win here, then it just might be lights for BLG.
Meanwhile, LGD are struggling once again. Much like Invictus Gaming, LGD do manage to look quite good once in a match, but being the second best team in a match of league of legends is just a fancy word for losing. LGD will need to have two solid performances against BLG to manage to take away the win. Luckily for them, their opponents are about as uncertain as they are themselves, so LGD have a solid shot a taking this.
Prediction: Bilibili Gaming
Match 2: Ultra Prime vs EDG
The second match of the day should be a interesting one. A week ago, this match would be fairly easy to solve, as Ultra Prime would have almost no chance in hell of beating EDG. However, EDG have been performing very poorly, and even their previously near-perfect bot lane have started to falter. Both Viper and Meiko had a terrible series against OMG, a team that doesn’t have solid bot laners. Meanwhile, Flandre continues to have inconsistent performances in the top lane, Jiejie lost his ability to constantly be at the right place at the right time, and Scout has had a few questionable plays, especially surrounding his teleport flanks.
However, do not misunderstand. This is still going to be an uphill battle for the side of Ultra Prime. After having a decent start to their split, UP have started to fall to the wayside again. With limited creativity and with multiple coinflip players, there is no rhyme nor reason to the way Ultra Prime play. Despite their questionable individual performances, EDG have still had a fairly solid split as a teamfighting team. So Ultra Prime need to find agency in this series, or it will be over quickly.
Prediction: EDG
LPL 2022 Spring Split Week 6: Day 4
Match 1: Anyone’s Legend vs TunderTalk Gaming
Thursday’s first match features ThunderTalk Gaming and Anyone’s Legend. ThunderTalk Gaming have a solid chance to tie up with the other four wins teams. Both of their opponents this week are teams that, at least on paper, shouldn’t be that far away from them mechanically. TT is usually a bit of a punching bag for the other LPL team, so seeing them have a considerably more competitive split is a refreshing change. Howver, it must still be noted that ThunderTalk Gaming have a tall task ahead of them, and will have to play well to defeat AL.
Meanwhile, Anyone’s Legend has the opportunity to really climb the table. Should they win both of their matches this week, they will move up to six wins. As of this article’s release, only Victory Five and JDG have more than 6 wins. This would be an incredible performance and achievement for the side of AL. Even prior to rebranding, during their time as Rogue Warriors, they were always a mediocre team that struggled to be significant in most of their splits. Now, they have a really good shot at making playoffs.
Prediction: Anyone’s Legend
Match 2: Victory Five vs Invictus Gaming
The second match of the day should be a very one-sided one. Victory Five will more than likely enter this series undefeated. With all of their players flying high, Victory Five seem like they are almost certain to get a top four finish, at the worse. This would also almost all but guarantee them a spot at Worlds. Coming into this year, many expected V5 to be a decent team, competitive too. But no one, not a single analyst was predicting them to be a number one or number two team in the LPL. And yet, here they are. Possibly moving on to week 7 undefeated, should everything go as planed.
Meanwhile, Invictus Gaming fans have had to be content with what they get, which hasn’t been much. After losing both TheShy and Rookie, Invictus Gaming is starting anew with fresh, players. Expect, not really, as their bot lane from last year returned to the team. This is the baffling part. Their top side is full of young and promising players, but their bot lane, which they kept the same, has shown little to no improvement. If IG want to truly develop their youngsters, then a new bot lane is in order for them.
Prediction: Victory Five
LPL 2022 Spring Split Week 6: Day 5
Match 1: Team World Elite vs JD Gaming
Friday’s first match might be even more painful to watch than the one above. Team World Elite has had even less positive points than Invictus Gaming, and many are saying that they are doomed to a 0:16 split. While they still have a tiny chance to avoid such a negative future, this series certainly isn’t it. From top to support, Team World Elite is massively gapped in every single role. The saddest part for them is that JDG’s support, Missing, was actually Team WE’s support just last year, almost making it to Worlds with a young WE roster. Now, Missing has a solid shot a making it to Worlds, again, but his old team is currently the laughing stock of the LPL.
Much like the previous Rare Atom series, this will be a great series for JDG to set the record straight. It is VERY unlikely that they will be contested by Team WE, so a clean 2:0 series is almost an obligation for the side of JDG. Should they slip up here, it will be, most likely, due to their own mistakes being punished at the worse level possible. If a team that previously looked completely lost and unsalvageable manages to sneak a game against a team wanting to make Worlds, then that team has a lot of work to do before the event.
Prediction: JD Gaming
Match 2: RNG vs LNG
The final series in today’s article will feature RNG and LNG. LNG have to show that they can still fight with the top tier teams. So far this split, they have yet to show that they deserve a spot at Worlds. For a team that kept four of the five players that made it last year, and supposedly made an upgrade in the fifth, LNG are struggling way more than necessary. With Light being their only consistent performer, LNG have to find their solid ground and relearn the basics. While their spot in playoffs isn’t in jeopardy just yet, the impact that they can have in playoffs is already being brought into question.
Meanwhile, RNG are looking better every week. As time goes on, Breathe is fitting more and more into RNG’s playstyle, closing out a team that could very well peak at Worlds. The main player to question now is Wei. While he does have some amazing games, he has others where calling him lackluster would be putting it nicely. If they manage to sort that out with him in the jungle, than RNG is a true contender, not just for the LPL Summer Split, but for Worlds too.
Prediction: RNG
And that concludes the preview of week 5, as well as the first five days of week 6 of the LPL 2022. Be sure to come back next time, to read about the last matches of Week 6 as well as the first few matches of Week 7.
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