All the champions from major regions made it out of the Mid-Season Invitational Group Stage. Royal Never Give Up was not tested, but overall favorite DWG KIA looked more vulnerable than most experts believed coming into this tournament. They were defeated by Cloud9 (who had their own struggles) and could have lost to Detonation FocusMe. MAD Lions had a few hiccups, but they largely took care of business too. That should make for a fun Rumble Stage although many are already looking past PSG Talon and Pentanet.GG.
2021 Mid-Season Invitational Rumble Stage Day 1 Betting Odds
Royal Never Give Up -115
DWG KIA -115
These are the two heavy favorites at MSI. DWG KIA was favored ahead of RNG prior to the start of the tournament, but they are now seen as being on even footing after the defending world champions struggled during the Group Stage.
DAMWON’s Khan has been unsteady in the top lane. RNG’s Xiaohu can punish that given his play since moving out of the mid lane and into the position. Although RNG haven’t been tested, they do seem to have a better grasp of the meta with their drafts, so they are the pick at these odds.
Pentanet.GG +413
MAD Lions -700
It’s going to be very difficult for Pentanet to pick up a win in the Rumble Stage. They are a Cinderella story as the first Oceania team to advance out of groups in any international tournament, but they were able to take advantage of a group that didn’t have GAM Esports.
Top laner BioPanther has played well, but it’s going to be hard to rely on others. Chazz won’t be able to play champions like Zed effectively against the other teams in the Rumble Stage, and he struggled on every other pick.
DWG KIA -460
PSG Talon +302
There is reason to like PSG Talon in this position. The VCS champions have had some time to come together, and they looked stronger as the Group Stage went on. Doggo started to gel with his new teammates, so we could see more creativity in the bottom lane.
Hanabi is a very good top laner that might be able to get the upper hand on Khan, and Maple is an experienced mid laner. That could lead to an upset for PSG Talon.
Cloud9 +292
Royal Never Give Up -441
We saw Cloud9 turn it on in the last day of the Group Stage. The North American champions won all three of their games, knocking off DWG in the most impressive win so far at MSI. Blaber was able to play well after a rough start, and Perkz has now done 32.5% of his team’s damage per Games of Legends.
Unfortunately for C9, there is a huge mismatch in the top lane. Fudge might be the weakest top laner at MSI, while Xiaohu is probably the best. RNG can play through their veteran to get a win.
Pentanet.GG +308
PSG Talon -471
If Pentanet pick up a win in the Rumble Stage, it is likely to come against PSG Talon. The VCS champions are probably the second weakest team left at MSI, and Doggo has only been on the team for three weeks. However, PSG Talon have a big talent advantage, just like every other team will have against the OCE representatives.
MAD Lions -135
Cloud9 +102
The first day will end with a bang as the two major Western regions square off. Europe has had the edge on North America in recent years, but C9 has two old members of G2 Esports in Perkz and Zven. Perkz will be at his best, and that could lead to C9 pulling off the slight upset. However, MAD Lions should have the advantage in the top lane and the bottom lane.
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