The field has been set for the 2016 LoL World Championships and the action will begin in less than two weeks. With two teams coming out of each group, virtually all the top teams are expected to advance to the knockout stages, but there are always surprises.
Which sides will step up and make it to that stage?
eSports Odds at BookMaker.eu
To Qualify from Group A
ROX Tigers -15000
CLG +138
G2 Esports -400
Albus NoX Luna +1200
ROX is widely regarded as the top team in the world after a dominating Summer Split in Korea and should have no trouble advancing in this relatively mediocre group. The European champions G2 will give ROX their biggest fight, but it’s been a down year as a whole for Europe. G2 has been the best side all year but were exposed at the Mid-Season Invitational, getting swept by every team from Asia or North America and only defeating the minnows from Turkey.
CLG might be a tempting play to advance considering the organization’s history, but this year’s edition is nothing like the great team of the past. Although CLG rallied and finished runner-up to SKT at the Mid-Season Invitational, it was destroyed by TSM in the Summer Split in North America and just doesn’t have what it takes to succeed on this stage.
To Qualify from Group B
SK Telecom T1 -6600
Cloud9 +175
Flash Wolves -175
IMay +188
The defending champs aren’t the favorites to win the whole thing after struggling a bit over the last few months, but bet against SKT at your own risk. The only two-time champions in the history of LoL have a habit of saving their best for the biggest stage and should easily advance to the quarterfinals.
Cloud9 is a popular pick to get the second spot because of its recent form in a tougher North American region, but Flash Wolves swept SKT in the MSI and are the pick to get the second spot. If Cloud9 was in Group A or Group C, betting on the side would be smart, but SKT and Flash Wolves will just be too much.
To Qualify from Group C
Edward Gaming -30000
Ahq e-Sports Club -150
H2K -163
INTZ +900
Chinese giants Edward Gaming are the biggest favorites to advance to the quarterfinals by virtue of a combination of their strong play and the weakness of this group. Edward Gaming has been dominant throughout domestic play but are somewhat of a mystery on the international stage. The quality of their play is known throughout though and it will be a shock if they drop even a game against this group.
INTZ would be a nice story and highlight the rise of Brazil on the eSports scene and may be worth a shot, but Ahq is a more seasoned team and the play to advance. H2K may be the favorite, but Europe has been so bad this year it’s hard to trust any team from the group.
To Qualify from Group D
Samsung Galaxy -275
Royal Never Giveup -250
Team SoloMid -275
Splyce +800
Poor Splyce, they would stand a much better chance in any other group, but got drew in the Group of Death and will be going home early. The other three teams here are significantly better and should dispatch of the Danish side in short order.
TSM has had a fantastic run through North America and seem poised to become the best performing North American team in some time. It will be key to win the group though and avoid playing Edward Gaming in the quarterfinals. Samsung should take the other spot as the Korean teams continue their dominance.
eSports Odds:
ROX -15000
SKT -6600
G2 -400
Flash Wolves -175
Edward Gaming -30000
Samsung Galaxy -275
Ahq e-Sports Club -150
TSM -275
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