With the LCK Summer Playoffs in full swing, let’s check out what might happen in the T1 and HLE series as the Worlds slots are on the line.
Image Credit: Riot Games
T1 vs HLE – LCK Summer Playoffs Preview
If Gen.G is the frontrunner of the LCK, then T1 and HLE were always considered the number two of the league. Despite the latter being more consistent throughout the regular splits, T1 often manages to step it up in the crucial moments of the season. And this time around, it looks like the trend is not changing.
Once again, following a split full of ups and downs, T1 is back in strong form, to the point where Gen.G decided to avoid them by choosing DK as their Round 2 opponent. Not only have they found their groove again, but they are also bringing their own twist to the meta.
HLE, on the other hand, is a clear example of what a textbook team looks like. A team with strong fundamentals and a well-established identity where everyone has a clear role. Viper is the core of this team, with Delight and Peanut often looking to enable him and solo laners around the map.
That being said, there is the impression that HLE is not willing to take more risks and the few times it happened, it didn’t work out as expected. With that in mind, let’s see what are the key elements of the series.
Series Breakdown
If you’re a T1 fan, you should be rejoicing about the team’s performance lately. Not only does the team looks polished and mechanically on point, but most importantly, T1 has found good reads on the meta that allow them to get big edges over the opponents.
With plenty of comfort picks, including Faker’s Azir, the opponents will have a hard time banning out all the champions. There will always be a good option for T1 left open, which is something you rarely want against a team of their level. And now with T1 showing Faker plays Smolder as well, the mid lane champion pool opens up even more.
We’ll have to see whether Zeka can come up with plenty of answers and whether Peanut can neutralize Oner as he did earlier in the split. These two will likely impact the entire pace of the series and the drafting behind it.
It’s hard to make a clear call on this series since T1 has improved quite a lot in the span of a few weeks. It can go either way and a lot will depend on how the two teams show up on the day. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Silver Scrapes but if the series goes to game 5, T1 might be in a better position to close it.
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