The last day of the Play-In Round 2 starts today in Mexico City. We will find out the names of the last two participants in the Worlds 2022 group stage.
Behind a lot of matches, both high-quality and not so League of Legends, and now we have the culmination of preparations for the main action. MAD Lions and Evil Geniuses will open the Play-In Round 2 finals.
“Western” derby with a colorful storyline – what could be better? A full-fledged bo5 comes to mind, but even without this, League of Legends should turn out to be what it takes.
We figure out who will advance to the Worlds 2022 group stage and continue the fight for the Summoners Cup, and who will leave the competition at the TOP-18 stage.
Form M.A.D. Lions
MAD Lions will play as the favorite in this match. The chance of winning the Spanish club of the bookmaker is estimated by the odds around 1.7.
The figure is quite restrained, and there are good reasons for this. A match at such a stage and with such a prize at stake is an exciting event for both clubs, which showed a good, but not outstanding game during the tournament.
The fact that MAD Lions made it to the Play-In finals is generally expected. Like it or not, but the participants of the starting stage differed in the level of performance, and nevertheless, the “lions” are here and in the rank of a contender for victory.
After a sluggish season in Europe and a 4th place finish at LEC Summer 2022, MAD Lions felt like a pig in a poke. The games within the Play-In dispelled all doubts about the Spanish club and dotted the “i”.
In the Play-In, MAD Lions were assigned to Group B, which, when choosing from two, could be safely called “basket death”. The Lions' rivals were DRX, RNG and three less formidable opponents.
Having logically lost RNG and DRX, the Lions outplayed Saigon Buffalo, Istanbul Wildcats and Isurus. From the third place, the Spanish club went to the second stage of the Play-In.
There, the “lions” met their rivals in the group from Saigon Buffalo and left no chance for the Vietnamese in the bo5 series. Before the match with EG MAD Lions will come warmed up with a 3-1 victory over the first opponent.
MAD Lions results during Worlds 2022 Play-In
- Victory over Istanbul Wildcats
- Lost to Royal Never Give Up 0-1
- 1-0 victory over Saigon Buffalo
- Lost to DRX 0-1
- 3-1 victory over Saigon Buffalo
In general, as for me, getting MAD Lions into the first round of Play-In Round 2 is even good for the “lions”. The team needs a “gross” and you can get it just within the framework of Worlds 2022.
MAD Lions line-up
- Amrut
- Elyoya
- Nisqy
- UNF0RGIVEN
- Kaiser
Separately, I would like to note Elyoya. The Spaniard plays the “tournament of life”, showing, without exaggeration, an exemplary League of Legends. Even in matches against RNG and DRX, the MAD Lions jungler did not sag in any moment, playing cards with a positive KD, and in the match against Saigon Buffalo he became an MVP with KD 8.
Heroes MAD Lions
At the Worlds 2022 Play-In, the team is not reinventing the wheel. The team plays standard for themselves.
Gnar most often goes to the top and, if possible, Aatrox, who is a success at the event. The first one appeared in the Lions pick 5 times, winning 4 of them.
In the jungle, Elyoya dominates Hecarim (4 matches, 75% wins), Belveth (3 matches, 2 wins), Trundle (2 matches, 50% wins).
In the center, Taliyah and Vex have the same spawn percentage. The characters appeared 3 times, but the first one won 1 match, and the second 2.
The bot lane is played by Seraphine with 3 appearances and 66% win rate, Kaisa (2 matches, 50% win rate) and Varus (2 matches, 100% win rate).
Tanks on supports: Leona (3 matches, 33% win rate), Alistar (3 matches, 100% win rate).
Evil Geniuses Form
In the status of catching up, Evil Geniuses will suit this game. The chance of winning representatives of the North American LCS is estimated by a factor of around 2.
The number is quite attractive considering the strength of EG. However, I agree that the team looked better before the start of the tournament.
Having played the season quite confidently, the team aimed for the first line of their group in the Play-In. This was facilitated by the infection of two Fnatic players with COVID-19 and a passing group without the title representatives of Asia.
What could go wrong? By and large, the Play-In went well for EG, because the second place is not a relegation, but there is a feeling that Evil Geniuses is all about it.
Playing in Group A at the Play-In was okay, but that's not enough. EG seems to be sleeping and can't turn on, and in the meantime we already have Play-In and there is nowhere to pull the rubber further.
EG, of course, well done, that they overcame the replays and nevertheless bit into the second round of the qualifying stage, but the very fact of such a difficult overcoming in the again easy group is already alarming.
Evil Geniuses match results within Play-In Worlds 2022
- 1-0 victory over Beyond Gaming
- 1-0 victory over Chiefs Esports Club
- Lost to DetonatioN FocusMe 0-1
- Victory over DetonatioN FocusMe with a score of 1-0
- Victory over LOUD with a score of 1-0
Again, here you have a loss against DFM and an opening loss against Fnatic. EG do not look like a team ready for battles in the group stage.
Lineup EG
- Impact
- inspired
- jojopyun
- Kaori
- Vulcan
The jungler Inspired is the best, but he cannot be compared with Elyoya. He stands out from his teammates, but his game cannot be called distinctive.
Heroes EG
The most picked hero in EG's TOP lane was Aatrox. The character appeared 3 times and won 2 matches.
Trundle was the most common in the forest, winning 2 matches out of 2.
In the mid lane, jojopyun played for Sylas (2 games, 50% win rate) and Akali (100% win rate in 2 matches) with Azir (100% win rate in 2 matches).
Aphelios played in the bot (2 matches, 100% wins).
From supports - Tresh (2 matches, 100% wins), Leona (2 matches, 100% wins).
History of personal confrontations
Previously, the teams did not play each other in head-to-head matches. This match will be the debut confrontation between representatives of the “western” League of Legends.
Match outcome
In this match, I expect a quality game on both sides, but the advantage is for MAD Lions. On a personal level, they look cheerful at this tournament, and team actions inspire more confidence than their counterparts.
In favor of MAD Lions is the fact that the team has already played a match in Play-In Round 2, having previously played out.
If we talk about characters, the biggest battles will be for the support position and mid. Both teams play “fat” supports with the ability to control and secure ADC. Where MAD Lions will have an advantage is in the forest. EG should get rid of Hecarim because Elyoya won't forgive him.
I described my opinion, but in addition to the above, take a closer look at the total. There will definitely be 4 cards, but the chance of 5 cards is high.
Result: MAD Lions win/MAD Lions win 3-1, 3-2.
