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The 2021 Worlds Play-Ins have given us the final four teams that will compete in Groups. With only hours before the main event begins, the stage is set for one of the most competitive Worlds Groups Stage in recent memory.
The four groups are fairly well distributed in terms of skill level, however clear favorites have emerged. With only eight teams advancing beyond this point, this double-round robin will determine the playoffs bracket. Here are our picks to escape the group stage.
Group A – Nine former World Champions, two slim chances
Group A is undoubtedly the Group of Death. Every Worlds has at least one, a group with two clear favorites to make a deep run that almost dooms the other two unfortunate teams who are slotted in. Damwon Kia and FunPlus Phoenix represent the two latest World Champions, winning in 2020 and 2019 respectively.
With nine World Champions in one group, it is clear that DK and FPX are predicted to easily escape while giving us a potential semis or finals preview in their Bo1 series. Rogue and Cloud9 have unceremoniously been left out of the conversation. Rogue enters Worlds after two devastating Bo5 losses in the LEC playoffs while Cloud9 appeared incredibly shaky throughout their Play-Ins run.
While scrims may have gone well for these teams, it is extremely unlikely that they will be able to upset the two favorites.
Group B – The ‘easiest’ group for EDG
The LPL first seed entering Worlds 2021, EDG, has perhaps the ‘easiest’ path to quarter-finals. Group B is the only group with a wild-card team in DetonatioN FocusMe. Alongside them are the LCS first seed, 100 Thieves, and LCK second seed, T1. While these teams are strong in their own rights, they are incredible fallible.
Both 100 Thieves and T1 have shown incredibly high peaks throughout the regular season but equally low slumps. EDG’s botlane duo of Viper and Meiko are heralded as the best at Worlds, while the steady solo laners of Flandre and Scout have shown impressive potential. The race for second place seems to be between T1 and 100 Thieves, but T1 and EDG are more than likely the two who will make it out.
Group C – Last minute substitutions may close the gap
Group C appeared to be one of the most ‘open’ group in the tournament, but last minute substitutions have drastically changed the outlook. RNG are clear leaders to take the first spot. As the reigning MSI Champions, RNG experienced a relatively short slump before returning to their winning ways and making another appearance at Worlds.
Fnatic were largely considered to be the second biggest threat, but the last minute departure of Upset and the presence of Hanwha Life has complicated the potential power rankings. Fnatic are an incredibly botlane focused team, and the loss of Upset may set the LEC representatives behind despite the skill of their substitution.
Hanwha Life has consistently been criticized for the skill gap between mid/bot and top/jungle. Morgan and Willer, though not the best performers, showed some strides in Play-Ins. Though clearly the team’s weakest point, the performance and potential improvement of these two could send Hanwha to quarters.
PSG Talon impressed at MSI, making to semi-finals, though this was largely off of the impressive showings of Doggo. Unified is a far more passive botlaner that is unlikely to make as much use out of Kaiwing’s impressive engages. Unfortunately, PSG Talon seem to be outclassed in almost every role by RNG. Royal Never Give Up and Hanwha Life are seemingly the top two favored to make it to quarters.
Group D – The Group of Life
Just as there is a Group of Death every year, there is similarly a Group of Life. This a group wherein almost every team has a chance to escape to finals and is considered the most unpredictable. MAD Lions, Team Liquid, LNG, and Gen.G are all good fits at a glance, though even these matchups have slight leaders.
MAD Lions are seemingly the west’s only hope. The team massively improved from MSI and onwards, as their topside of Elyoya and Armut proved themselves to be World class. As a unit, MAD Lions seem to be the best macro team at Worlds in contesting objectives and catching out opponents for team fights. Should MAD adapt well to this changing meta, they could make waves.
LNG are undoubtedly one of the best teams to ever breeze through play-ins. Now with more stage experience than their group mates, LNG could benefit massively from this as their early read on the meta could prove useful. Team Liquid and Gen.G have the same general slow, macro focused playstyle that could easily be trampled over by their more aggressive counterparts. Because of this, MAD Lions and LNG are the two favorites in the Group of Life.
