G-1 Champions League: LGD and DK play for $28,500

LGD 2-1 DK (Make your own verdict here!)

While DK are still undefeated in a series at G-1, when a team stomps The International champions iG as hard as LGD did, it is impossible to neglect the sudden uprising that LGD have put up against a solid two months of domination in the Asian scene by iG. This came about after a simple switch of roles with xiao8 taking over the mid lane and Yao playing the offlane. Of course, fans would also have noticed the new playstyle that LGD have adopted - quasi-iG style aggression in the mid game after laying low early on and quick responses to critical ganks by their opponents.

In the two one-sided victories they had over Invictus Gaming last night, LGD played Dota 2 with a refreshing change of pace and a heightened understanding of picks and bans. Their selection of tanky mid gank heroes (Batrider, Night Stalker) coupled with high physical DPS lineups (Luna, Magnus) and mass Black King Bars demolished iG's spell damage-intensive lineup with an emphasis on early levels and nukes.

In both games against Orange, Burning got the farm he needed uncontested - but the real scuffle was between Super on his mid heroes (Templar Assassin and Invoker) and the whole of Orange in general. Mushi made less of an impact than he normally did for Orange, especially his Queen of Pain in game two, and DK punished Orange for allowing Burning ample space to develop into late game.

Nevertheless, in a LAN final, morale and team chemistry plays a huge part in any team's performance - and what raises one's spirits more than the crushing victory over the best Dota 2 team in the world in two back to back games? We say - LGD has the series.

When: 13:30 CET

iG 2-0 Orange (Make your own verdict here!)

Invictus Gaming is still Invictus Gaming. They may have looked utterly desperate for plays in their games against LGD, but they play Dota 2 on a different level from Orange. The latter no longer has trump cards up their sleeves (which they would have used against DK) and surprising iG pick-wise in a best of three matchup the way LGD did does not look like it will pay off for Orange tomorrow.

When iG takes on Orange on even ground, iG has the advantage in the series. Or perhaps, will Mushi go unstoppable tomorrow?

When: 06:30 CET