China will be the first major region to return to action for the 2021 League of Legends season this weekend. The 2021 LPL Spring Split will get underway on Saturday, January 9 with 2020 Summer Split champion Top Esports taking on 2020 World Championship runner-up Suning Gaming. We will also see two other former champions face off on Sunday as 2020 Spring Split winner JD Gaming faces 2018 World Champion Invictus Gaming.
2021 LPL Spring Split Week 1 Betting Odds
Top Esports -493
Suning Gaming +339
Top Esports are favored to win the 2021 LPL Spring Split. They were the hottest team heading into last year’s Worlds, and Top Esports decided to bring back their entire roster to make another strong run at the Summoner’s Cup. Knight proved he was the best mid laner in the region last year, especially shining whenever he was allowed to take Syndra, and JackeyLove remains one of the most talented bottom laners in the world.
Suning returns four of their five starters from last year. Support SwordArt left to join Team SoloMid, and he will be replaced by ON. You would think that would make them more competitive according to the oddsmakers, but the meta has shifted away from Suning. This team plays through SofM, but junglers can’t make the same impact they did last year due to the tank-heavy meta.
Edward Gaming -622
Oh My God +406
OMG went 4-12 in last year’s Summer Split. That led to a huge shakeup this offseason as three new players were signed in December, and OMG promoted two other long-time academy players to their starting roster. They haven’t had much time to train together though, so that puts them at a disadvantaged over one of the most experienced teams in the LPL.
There isn’t a high ceiling for EDG as this team continues to slowly regress and management doesn’t seem ready to move on from Scout and Meiko. They even brought back long-time jungler Clearlove, and these moves don’t tend to work well. However, bottom laner Viper has a lot of promise, as he proved during his time with Griffin back in 2019.
Team WE -403
Rogue Warriors +287
It was a year to forget for Rogue Warriors in more ways than one. The organization was rocked by a match fixing scandal in late March that led to a massive fine and a two-year ban for their former jungler. They finished 13th in the Spring Split and 15th in the Summer Split, posting their worst season since joining the LPL. Rogue Warriors might be much improved this season though with the acquisitions of top laner Ziv and bottom laner Betty.
Team WE have a solid bottom lane in Jiumeng and Missing, a talented mid laner in Teacherma, and a decent jungler in Beishang. This team is far from unbeatable though, especially in the top lane. That could lead to a Rogue Warriors upset.
Invictus Gaming +105
JD Gaming -132
The decision to bring back everyone was a curious one for JD Gaming. After a strong Spring Split, this team noticeably started to tail off in the Summer Split. They have made two important signings though, bringing in veteran mid laner Xiye in case one half of the Dumpling Brothers falters and import bottom laner Mystic.
Meanwhile, Invictus continue to try to improve the two positions that have flummoxed them over the last two years. TheShy, Rookie, and Baolan are all elite players, but there have been major problems in the jungle and bottom lane. IG brought in two new bottom laners in Snow and Wink to challenge Puff, and XUN might finally replace Ning.
At BookMaker Sportsbook, our team of writers breaks down every betting matchup on the wagering board. Esports are exploding in popularity and BookMaker has you covered for all of your betting needs. From League of Legends to CS:GO, BookMaker has all the Esports betting lines you can hope for. Open an account and get in on the action today!