The race to win the LEC Spring Split is wide open once again after some poor play from reigning champions G2 Esports last weekend. Last year’s runner-up at the World Championships went 0-2 after a 6-0 start, placing them in a tie with Origen and Misfits Gaming for first place in the region. Three teams are within a game of first place, so there should be plenty of excitement this week on Summoner’s Rift in Berlin.
Excel Esports -180
FC Schalke 04 +143
Schalke pulled off the biggest upset of the season by beating G2 last week. Prior to that win, they had lost their first seven matches of the Spring Split, and that led to the organization replacing jungler Gilius and bottom laner Forg1ven in favor of newcomers Lurox and Innaxe. Innaxe popped off in the upset over G2, so it’s unlikely we see Forg1ven any time in the future.
Excel have been much better than expected this season. They are 4-4, and they are in position to contend for a spot in the Spring Split Playoffs. However, they must stop taking Jarvan into the jungle, as Caedrel has a 1.5 KDA on the champion, and this team is 0-3 when he makes that selection.
Rogue -115
Misfits Gaming -115
The hottest team in Europe is Misfits Gaming. This squad has overcome an 0-2 start to win six straight games, but they aren’t as great as their record indicates. Bvoy has been impressive with a 10.3 KDA, but Aphelios has been nerfed and he probably won’t be able to select his most played champion in Xayah.
Rogue’s three losses were against teams with winning records. They have the talent advantage over Misfits, and they should get the victory as long as they draft well. That has been their main issue through the first month of the season, but they beat Misfits back in Week 1, and I like their chances at even money here.
SK Gaming -140
Team Vitality +110
It’s only a matter of time before Vitality wins a game. They will have a great chance this week as they face 1-7 Schalke and 2-6 SK Gaming. The bottom lane has been better than you might think with Comp doing 32.1 percent of his team’s damage according to Games of Legends, but his support Jactroll wasn’t keeping him safe. That led to Vitality replacing him with veteran Steelback, and Vitality should be better in this lane going forward.
SK have a solid bottom lane, but this team has major problems in the top lane and jungle. Sacre has not been as strong as he appeared to be in the laning phase, while Trick has not been proactive as the team’s jungler. That’s why Vitality is a solid bet at this price.
Fnatic -130
Origen +100
When these teams met in Week 1, Origen got the better of Fnatic. Upset and Alphari registered 13 of Origen’s 15 kills, and they continually punished Bwipo’s decision to take Swain into the top lane.
Origen has a strong grasp of the meta, and Upset has been phenomenal this season. He is out to prove that he has surpassed Rekkles in terms of bottom lane talent, and his 15.2 KDA is tops in the league by a wide margin. I think Origen will win draft and win the match from there once again this Saturday.
G2 Esports -350
MAD Lions +261
The big question for G2 is whether they will take this week more seriously. This team has a habit of taking its foot off the gas pedal after a strong start to the season, but G2 are now in danger of missing out on the top spot in Europe. G2 boasts far more talent than any other organization on the continent, and while MAD Lions have been impressive, it’s hard to see them getting past G2 if the defending champions take this week seriously.
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