Photo by LoL Esports
With the group stage coming to a close, four teams look ahead to the knockout stage. With some very unexpected results, any one of these four teams could emerge victorious at the end of the weekend.
If you missed the group stage action click here for a recap.
In the knockout stage, Royal Never Give Up is set to face SK Telecom T1, who underperformed in the groups. In the other semifinal Counter Logic Gaming will face Flash Wolves in what could be an extremely tight series.
RNG vs. SKT
These were considered two of the best teams going into this tournament, and many would have expected to see this matchup in the finals. Due to some huge losses for SKT, however, they finished 4th in the group. They still advanced comfortably over 5th and 6th place, but it was not a showing that anyone expected from a team that was largely considered the best in the field. RNG placed first in the group, although SKT did get the better of them in the group stage on the final day.
RNG's Shiyu "mxlg" Liu boasts the highest KDA ratio of the tournament at 9.7, which is over 2 points greater than any other player. RNG also has the highest team KDA in the tournament thus far, but things could change as we approach the knockout stage. SKT's member with the highest KDA is Bae "Bang" Jun-sik at 5.5, cloesly followed by Lee "Duke" Ho-seong at 5.4.
RNG looks to be the team with more momentum, whereas SKT has more potential. If the SKT is in good form then they should emerge victorious. But if the trend of the weekend continues, then we could see RNG take the series and maybe even the tournament. Either way, the series should be very close. Based on the statistics and this tournament so far, RNG are the favorites. Based on history, SKT are the favorites. We can only wait and see for this highly anticipated seminfinal match.
Prediction: SKT over RNG 3-2.
CLG vs. FW
With both these teams doing well in the group stage and carrying some momentum from their spring splits, this should be a very interesting series. Going into the tournament Flash Wolves would be the favorites in this matchup, but after placing second with a 7-3 record in the group stage, Counter Logic Gaming is here to prove the North American teams can compete with the best around the world, while Flash Wolves are here to prove them wrong. This should be a highly contested series that could be decided by momentum, perhaps with the Game 1 winner snowballing, so to speak.
Flash Wolves' Yi-Tang "Maple" Huang has the second highest KDA at the tournament at 7.1. CLG's Trevor "Stixxay" Hayes has a much lower KDA at 4.2, but has the most tournament kills with 73, which is 21 higher than the next player. Stixxay and Zacqueri "Aphromoo" Black also have two of the best kill particiaptions at MSI 2016, with both being well over 75%. If CLG's Bot lane can replicate their success from the group stage, they should be more than a challenge for Flash Wolves.
In the group stage Counter Logic Gaming swept Flash Wolves, but a best of five series is very different. Flash Wolves is fresh off of two SKT wins and is looking more confident than ever. CLG hopes that their group stage success carries over to the knockout stage.
Prediction: FW over CLG 3-1.
SKT vs. FW
This would be an extremely hype final. Flash Wolves got the better of SKT twice in the group stage, and they could do it again here. If SKT do manage do beat Royal Never Give Up, they will gain some much needed confidence and momentum. I could see this series playing out in a number of ways, as either team could get steamrolled, or it could go down to the wire. If it gets to Game 5, I believe that SKT’s experience will get them the win and the MSI 2016 championship. However, I do not think that it will make it to a winner-take-all match. SKT has lost more games in the past weekend than they ever have in such a short amount of time, and Flash Wolves know they can do it again.
SKT versus Flash Wolves is a series that will come down to who can push objectives the hardest. With Flash Wolves' Maple stacking up against SKT's Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok in the mid lane, that matchup could decide the game. Thus far in the tournament Faker has had a lackluster perfromance (for his standards) and on the other hand Maple has played out his mind with one of the tournaments best KDAs and best kill participation. He also had the least deaths of any player, tied with SKT's Duke. This could very well be the deciding factor in who wins MSI 2016.
It should be a very close series, but due to the group stage dominance, I give the slight edge to Flash Wolves.
Prediction: FW over SKT 3-2.
Overall, the knockout stage should provide viewers with some exciting League of Legends from some of the best teams in the world, and seeing how it unfolds is sure to be a real treat. Think you can predict better than our staff? Put your virtual money where your mouth is by playing GosuBet. To participate, simply click on the match you want to bet on in the matchticker on the sidebar and place your bet.
