MAD Lions KOI vs Fnatic

Can the Spanish Squad knock Fnatic all the way down to the loser’s bracket within the LEC Match of the Week?

The LEC 2024 Winter Playoffs formally start tomorrow, with solely 8 the very best groups competing for the title of Winter Champion! Though Karmine Corp had a little bit of a resurgence of their final 2 matches, them and Rogue needed to depart the competitors early as a result of not scoring sufficient wins.

Nevertheless, G2 Esports, Fnatic, Crew Heretics, Crew Vitality, Crew BDS, SK Gaming and MAD Lions KOI are nonetheless within the run for the trophy (defend?) of the primary break up of the 2024 LEC circuit – with MAD Lions KOI dealing with Fnatic in what appears to be probably the most thrilling Bo3 of the primary spherical!

LEC Match of the Week Preview: MAD Lions KOI vs Fnatic

Can Noah and Jun Rise to the Event?

Though Fnatic achieved a good 5-4 scoreline by the top of the Common Season, they nonetheless had some weaker performances – particularly in opposition to Crew BDS. Whereas it wasn’t a specific participant’s fault as each member of the workforce had quieter video games, the largest outlier of FNC was their botlane: Noah and Jun.

Whereas Jun has been doing nicely – even spectacular on picks like Blitzcrank and Renata Glasc – he solely has a superb synergy with Noah to date, not likely skirmishing the map with Razork or pulling some cheeky ganks on mid and toplane. Noah however elevated himself to a Kalista important as an alternative of an Aphelios one like he was final season, however fell into the identical entice as earlier than. If he’s not on his most well-liked champions, he doesn’t appear to have that a lot impression, even when he had one of many higher trying Lucians of the LEC.

Whereas Supa and Alvaro should not excellent both, Supa DID carry MAD Lions KOI in opposition to Karmine Corp, Rogue and Crew Vitality as nicely. Alvaro has additionally been eager to work outdoors of botlane, which provides extra flexibility to MDK on this regard.

The Spanish Showdown within the Jungle

Whereas Elyoya is THE identify of the MAD Lions KOI workforce, he hasn’t been doing in addition to one would count on. Mockingly, the rookies do the heavy lifting greater than Yoya – but when he will get Xin Zhao, he turns into an unstoppable drive.

In the meantime, Razork isn’t as reliant on one champion as Elyoya is, and whereas he additionally prefers the Xin, he could be placed on Sejuani responsibility, and may impression the sport even when he falls behind within the early sport – or offers up First Blood. That is one thing that Elyoya didn’t showcase to date, and his Nocture match is the right instance for that: although his toplaner was forward, he select to provoke when Myrwn was nowhere close to his workforce, which value MDK just a few teamfights and finally the sport.

Razork can be able to carrying as he confirmed on a number of events final week, and whereas we haven’t seen him unleashed this 12 months to date, he’s all the time able to take up the carry place, which could possibly be one thing MAD Lions KOI struggles in opposition to.

Who will win: MAD Lions KOI or Fnatic?

Though Fnatic is among the many LEC groups that DO have a superb early sport, they often fail to play for targets, often giving up Dragons in favour of Void Grubs – however not following up with Herald, lacking out on half the snowball impact the Baron-side targets supply. Nevertheless, they do get their lanes forward by securing First Bloods due to Razork and with nice laning phases by Humanoid and Oscarinin, and in the event that they get rolling they have a tendency to win, as they solely misplaced 1 match once they have been forward by the 15-minute mark.

Nevertheless, MAD Lions KOI debuted as steamrollers versus Crew Heretics, taking the lead early and by no means letting it go. Whereas their hyper-aggression didn’t work in opposition to each workforce within the LEC, it tends to shock much more skilled gamers. In addition they confirmed that they will play calm and picked up of their final common season match: drafting conservatively, enjoying sluggish then taking up the sport with good macro choices. Whereas they’ve room to develop on this regard, flexibility is all the time a superb workforce.

And versatile they’re due to their secret weapon, Myrwn. A participant that picks Varus and Fiddlesticks high within the LEC – and succeeds with them – is unhinged to say the least, and whereas Oscarinin has a stable laning part, he won’t be capable to take care of Myrwn’s surprises.

One factor that suggestions the scales in Fnatic’s favour is their midlaner, Humanoid. Whereas Fresskowy has proved to be an excellent participant previously weeks, Humanoid is in nice type, and if he prompts within the early sport, he might make life hell for Fresskowy.

MAD Lions KOI vs Fnatic will come down to 2 issues: the type of Noah and Humanoid on the facet of Fnatic, whereas the psychological fortitude of Elyoya in MDK. If the Fnatic gamers are on their greatest efficiency (which needs to be a given in a Playoff match), they might take this 2-1, however MAD Lions KOI has an actual likelihood to take them down as nicely.

The LEC Match of the Week will happen this Sunday at 20:00 CET – don’t miss out on it, in addition to ESTNN’s other content about the LEC!