TES vs FPX: the playoff run is on! – LPL Summer Preview

With the LPL summer regular split coming to a close end, can FPX tie up the score against TES? Here are our thoughts in our weekly preview.

TES vs FPX – is FPX the best team in the LPL?

Following the last matches and both LGD and NIP’s losses, FPX have also secured themselves a spot in the 2024 LPL Summer Playoffs, alongside BLG, LNG, TES, JDG, WBG, and AL.

That being said, all these 7 teams are still playing some of their last games which would potentially impact their initial seeding heading into playoffs. FPX, who have always been considered some of the underdogs given the initial roster, have managed to surprise fans once again when they took down the number one team LNG last week with a clean 2-0.

Aside from them now, FPX will face all the top teams in the standings, as TES, WBG, and BLG are waiting. Can they make upsets again and spring to the top part of the standings? Let’s see what the chances are against TES.

Match breakdown

If we just take a look at the individual players, you should know that TES has stronger players across the board. But that is not how it always works in league, especially if you have a star player like Milkyway on your team. He and Life have been stepping up, taking up most of the playmaking work, and FPX are trying to fully utilize Milkyway’s carry potential.

So far in the LPL summer split, the guy still hasn’t played any bruiser or tanks which goes to show the team’s commitment to giving him all the tools needed to deliver. And the numbers are speaking for themselves: the guy has a higher damage share on the team compared to his ADC deokdam. After the top lane fiesta that happened, it looks like Zdz will be the starting ADC going forward.

This match will ultimately come down to the junglers since TES is also heavily reliant on Tian’s performance. Not in the same way as Milkyway but he’s the one that manages the early game tempo for his team. If he gets countered, then there might be chances for FPX.

Overall, though, TES should still be favored as I believe they have a much more balanced team with multiple carry players. The gap was never that big, to begin with, even more so now that FPX upset LNG. Yet, when on form, TES is probably a top-two team in the league that would be more than a title contender. They already showed it at the Esports World Cup by winning, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them triumph again.