The battles of the LCS Spring 2023 play-offs continue in North America. Six teams remain on their way to the champion title, two slots at MSI 2023 and a prize pool of $200,000.
In the first round of the LCS Spring 2023 play-offs, FlyQuest and 100 Thieves met. That duel ended in an expected victory for the favourite and now it's time to watch for another major contender, Cloud9.
"Cloud9 reached the main stage of the LCS Spring 2023 by winning the regular season. The team finished in first place after replaying for the top 1.
Counter-Logic Counter had a slightly more thorny path. The team finished in last, 4th place in the top playoffs,
Let's find out what the top teams of the North American region have to say, and whether the CLGs will be able to impose their rules on their more established rivals.
Cloud9 uniforms
We begin the review of the match with an analysis of Cloud9's uniforms. In this match they will play as favourites.
The bookmakers are clearly on the side of C9. The chance of the latter's victory is estimated at odds in the region of 1.2.
We shouldn't be surprised by the pre-match state of affairs. Cloud9 is the highest-scoring team of the season, and the region as a whole.
Composition of Cloud9
C9 represented North America in the last Worlds 2022. They failed to achieve success then, and predictably they have had to reshuffle their roster.
Cloud9 players
- Fudge
- Blaber
- EMENES
- Berserker
- Zven
The core of the squad did not change a lot: Fudge, Blabr, Berserker and Zven are amongst the tenured players of C9, while the newcomer of the roster is EMENES. The South Korean left-hander blended in well with the top club.
The new midfielder's efficiency rate is 62%. This is the fourth best indicator in the team, worse only for Fudge, which, however, should not be evaluated without context. The Meta obliges midfielders to play more sacrificially, which leads to the drop in efficiency.
Cloud9 performance
Cloud9 finished in the top 15 at last year's Worlds 2022. The team failed to make it past the group stage.
Failure at Worlds 2022 has not affected Cloud9's desire and ability to take the lead at LCS Spring 2023. The C9s finished in first place at 14-4 during the LCS Spring 2023 regular season.
They played a tie-break against FlyQuest for first place, where they won 1-0.
Cloud9 champions
Sion (4 games, 100% wins) remains the most popular champion in the top spot. Also took KSante (3 games, 3 wins), Jax (3 games, 100% wins), Fiora (3 games, 66% wins).
Wukong (4 matches, 75% win rate) was the most common in the Forest. Maokai (3 matches, 100% wins), and Elise (3 matches, 100% wins) were also taken.
LeBlanc (2 games, 100% wins), Jayce (2 games, 50% wins). Yone (1 game, 100% wins), Viktor (1 match, 0% wins).
Of the shooters took Zeri (6 matches, 66% wins), Varus (3 matches, 66% wins). 2 times each for Caitlyn, Lucian and Draven: all had perfect win rates.
Lulu (5 matches, 60% wins), Ashe (3 matches, 33% wins), Heimerdinger (2 matches, 100% wins), Kalista (2 matches, 100% wins), Nami (2 games, 100% win rate), Annie (2 games, 100% wins).
CLG Form
We continue our review of the match with an analysis of Counter Logic Gaming's form. They are playing this match in underdog status.
Bookmakers do not particularly believe in the success of the underdogs. The odds on CLG's victory are at 3.8.
The three-goal margin is primarily due to their performance over the course of the season. CLG were on the verge of missing the playoffs, but somehow they ended up there.
Counter Logic Gaming roster
What you can't attach to CLG's "pricing" factor this season is the roster of the team. CLG are one of the few who haven't resorted to reshuffling before the new season.
CLG players
- Dhokla
- Contactz
- Palafox
- Luger
- Poome
The situation in terms of player efficiency is similar to C9, only with a correction for the "cor positions". The top-player remains the most ineffective, but Palafox on the centre line contributes slightly more impact than the Turkish Legionnaire Luger.
Individually, the C9 players are well ahead of CLG. The C9 trio made the season's symbolic squad, and in addition, Fudge took the Week 1 MVP, and EMENES took the Week 7 MVP.
Counter Logic Gaming's performance
CLG had a rather poor showing in the LCS last season. Top 8 at LCS Lock-In 2022, similarly top 6 at LCS Spring 2022 and top 6 at LCS Summer 2022.
In the new season, the team managed to finish in the top 4, which gave them a spot in the top playoffs. The team finished the regular season 10-8.
Passing into the top net of the playoffs was accompanied by a three-team replay with Evil Geniuses and 100 Thieves. CLG lost their match, but thanks to a head-to-head result, qualified for the top net.
Counter Logic Gaming champions
CLG's top three champions for the top line are KSante, Gwen, Sion. Appeared 3 times each, but the first has a 0% win rate, the second has a 66% win rate and the third has a 100% win rate.
In the forest play Sejuani (6 games, 83% wins), Maokai (3 games, 33% wins), Vi (3 games, 66% wins).
Jayce (3 games, 66% wins), Taliyah (3 games, 66% wins), Aurelion Sol (3 games, 33% wins) play on the centre line.
Popular shooters include Zeri (4 games, 25% wins), Sivir (3 games, 100%), Kalista (3 games, 66%).
Lulu (3 games, 66% wins), Rakan (3 games, 33% wins) were the most popular of the Sappers. Karma (2 matches, 50% wins), Annie (2 matches, 50% wins), Nami (2 matches, 100% wins).
History of head-to-head encounters
The teams have met each other twice before in the group stage. The result is 1-1.
Match result
In this match there is a chance to see a close game, however, it is not necessary to fully hope for an equal game. Cloud9 are much stronger than their opponents.
In terms of team interactions CLG may still have a chance, but on an individual level Cloud9 will be shut out. Allowed to take the map thanks to author's picks like Gwen or Auerilon Sol, but in default C9 is better.
Bottom line: Cloud9 wins 3-1, 3-0.
