We have yet to see the odds really change after the Group Stage draw for the League of Legends World Championship on September 22. FunPlus Phoenix is still the overall favorite despite being placed in a group with defending world champion DWG KIA, and the odds haven’t shifted for any of the teams in the Group of Life (Group D) either. That will likely change in the next couple weeks, but there is currently value on the board.
2021 League of Legends World Championship Futures Odds
FunPlus Phoenix +200
DWG KIA +350
EDward Gaming +350
Royal Never Give Up +750
MAD Lions +1000
T1 +1200
Fnatic +1600
Gen.G +1600
Rogue +2000
LNG +2000
PSG Talon +2500
Hanwha Life +3150
All Other Teams +5000 or More
FunPlus Phoenix should no longer be listed at +200 although they are arguably the most talented team in the world. They have two fantastic laners in mid laner Doinb and former DWG KIA top laner Nuguri, but there are questions about the bottom lane and the jungle. Tian, Lwx, and Crisp were all part of the team that won Worlds two years ago, but they aren’t S-Tier players at their positions. That’s something that can be exploited, and they might have a tough road to the finals if they finish behind DWG KIA.
The most value among the current favorites lies with EDward Gaming. The LPL Summer Split champions are being somewhat discounted despite beating FPX 3-1 in the finals. Viper and Meiko might be the best bottom lane duo in the world, and top laner Flandre has been performing very well this season too. They received a favorable draw, being paired with T1 and 100 Thieves. That might lead to long-time members Scout and Meiko finally leading EDG to a Worlds title.
DWG KIA was easily the best team in the LCK this year. The defending world champions have won three straight domestic titles in Korea, and they have a sour taste in their mouth after losing to Royal Never Give Up at the Mid-Season Invitational. ShowMaker and Canyon are probably the best mid-jungle duo in the world, but there are questions in the top lane and bottom lane. For DWG KIA to repeat as champions, Beryl will need to roll back some of his aggression and Khan will need to rediscover his old form.
European champions MAD Lions have not received the same respect as LEC titans Fnatic and G2 Esports. They showed they can compete at a high level at MSI though, taking DWG KIA to five games in the semifinals, and their chemistry has improved after another several months together. MAD Lions were placed in the easiest group and should have little trouble qualifying ahead of Team Liquid, but Gen.G could give them trouble in the fight for the top spot.
Speaking of Fnatic, they might be the most high-variance team at Worlds. Fnatic have come up with some new strategies under YamatoCannon, and they have a bottom lane that can compete against those in the LCK and LPL. The play of top laner Adam and jungler Bwipo will be critical, but this is a team that can help define the meta early on as they constantly think outside the box.
The last team to mention is T1. The three-time world champions failed to make it to this stage in 2018 and 2020, but Faker is back for at least one more chance at a title. This is a flawed team with questions around every position except mid lane and support, but the Faker mystique is real and cannot be discounted.
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