Notes for today’s 12pm ET EU Masters Slate.
This is a 6 game slate featuring top teams from their respective regional leagues. These games are Bo1 to start. One thing to note are that LEC academy teams (Fnatic Rising, Schalke Evolution) are usually teams to watch out for. They have similar coaching infrastructure and funding to their LEC teams and are usually near the top of the standings/ eventual winners. These teams were all near the top of their regional leagues but some regional leagues are better and worse than others so that context does matter.
BTXL (-325) vs YDN (+225)
BTXL dropped another game yesterday against GL to officially start the EU Masters 0-2. They are a good team and have faced tough competition so far so it is not completely unexpected to see them without a win so far. This game is one they should win. YDN are the Italian representative and in my opinion are clearly the weakest team in this group. YDN did actually play a half decent game against GO yesterday but in the end they still lost despite that. Typically teams that face YDN are a good target since YDN play an uptempo game so that makes me like BTXL a decent amount here. BTXL should be able to pick up their first win here and led by Deadly and kaSing BTXL are in a good spot.
Players to watch: (BTXL): Deadly (ADC), KaSing (SUP), Taxer (JNG)
Players to watch (YDN): Tabasko (JNG), Cospect (SUP), Phantomles (MID)
GO (-160) vs GL (+120)
This group has 3 very talented teams and GO and GL are two of them. They have both beat the same opponents and in similar fashion as well. There is a lot of big name talent with the likes of Hjarnan and XDSMILEY being some of the most talented players. Gamers Origen plays a very controlled style of game and it has been effective so far. GL are somewhat similar as well, with one very aggressive game against YDN and a slower paced one against BTXL. When two good teams play each other often times the games can be quite slow so it depends how GL decides to play this game.In a slower game I do favour GO but in a faster paced game I like GL. GL are fine for GPP as they are one of the only underdogs I like on this slate.
Players to watch (GO): XDSMILEY (ADC), Bluerzor (JNG), Hustinbeast (SUP)
Players to watch (GL): Hjarnan (ADC), Visdom (SUP), Rabble (JNG)
MRS (-575) vs SNG (+350)
Movistar Riders did take a surprising loss to K1ck in their last game, but this one should be an easier game for them. SNG look like one of the weakest teams in the tournament and they have been in 2 blowout losses so far. I expect the same result in this game as MRS does need this win heading into the second week of EU Masters. This is a good game to target MRS as this game environment is one of the better ones on the slate. MRS are incredibly expensive on DK for this reason but they should win this game and should be a good DFS target. Not much else to say about this game as I do not think SNG are playable really, and they are one the underdogs on this slate I give a rather small chance of winning.
Players to watch (MRS): Elyoya (JNG), Xico (MID), Javaaa (ADC)
Players to watch (SNG): reje (ADC), skude (JNG), vayu (SUP)
S04E (-315) vs K1ck (+220)
This is another instance where people will be chasing K1ck as an underdog target. They are one of my favourite underdog targets on this slate because they push the tempo early. If they can continue their early game success they can pave their path to victory. I am not so certain this will happen this game however. S04E are one of the most talented teams in this tournament and although they did take a loss in the first game to MRS, they should not be underestimated because of that. If K1ck do not jump out to a large lead early game Schalke will win. They are better as a team and have a better understanding of how to play League of Legends when they aren’t miles ahead. Due to the explosiveness of K1ck however they are still fine as a GPP target as once again there aren’t too many underdogs I like on this slate. If K1ck can win this game, I will finally be a believer that their style is effective, even against technically better teams.
Players to watch (S04E): Gilius (JNG), Sertuss (MID), Neon (ADC)
Players to watch (K1ck): Puki Style (ADC), Shlatan (JNG), Raxxo (SUP)
VGIA (-220) vs RGO (+160)
The Vodafone Giants continued to roll with a clean game against DK yesterday. With a win here they will cement themselves as the best team in the group and a top contender in this tournament. They play a controlled style of game and they play it very well. They have some extremely talented players on their team and I think they should be able to win this game. RGO put up a very disappointing performance against LDLC yesterday as they kind of just rolled over and died without much fight. Woolite is their best player but he cannot solo carry this team. VGIA are definitely my pick here and I think they can put up some decent numbers against RGO. The Spanish giants are one of my top picks to win the EU Masters and they should continue their winning ways in this one. RGO have not been great even in their win so far and I am not on them here as much as some of the other dogs.
Players to watch (VGIA): Lamabear (JNG), Attila (ADC), Pretty (MID)
Players to watch (RGO): Woolite (ADC), Czekolad (MID), Szygenda (TOP)
LDLC OL (-265) vs DK (+190)
DK have played extremely slow games so far. In 2 losses so far they have died 11 times in one game and 7 in the other. This leads me to think it is not the best upside even if LDLC win. LDLC did put up some good numbers against another slow playing team in AGO Rogue, but from what I’ve seen from DK so far, they are so unwilling to fight it can drag these games into snoozefest territory. I think if DK were to win this game then it would be worth a target, but I still think LDLC will win this game. TynX has been one of the best junglers in the tournament so far and Hades has been excellent as well. I will give this one to LDLC.
Players to watch (LDLC): TynX (JNG), Hades (ADC), Vetheo (MID)
Players to watch (DK): Goose (ADC), Hadess (JNG), Chapapi (MID)
This slate is very favourite heavy for me. The prices are high on DK but I really do not like most of the underdogs. Some are worth a shot and here are my favourite underdog picks in order of preference:
1. GL
2. K1ck
3. DK
4. RGO