The LEC Spring Split is coming to its final week of games to determine who goes through to the playoffs.
After seven weeks of intense and gruelling games, the LEC Spring Split is now in its eighth and final week with only two more playoff spots to fight for. The likes of Rogue have been the standout performer of the split so far, winning 12 of their 15 matches and showing total domination in most of their games. Joining Rogue is Fnatic, Misfits Gaming, and G2 Esports, all pf whom have seemingly confirmed their slots into the playoffs.
While they didn't end up getting past the group stage of Worlds last year, Rogue has done well to bounce back this season. Despite losing their star AD carry to Team Liquid during the off-season, Rogue have done well in terms of recruitment, bringing in substitutes from DWG.KIA and Team Vitality, Kim "Malrang" Geun-seung and Markos "Comp" Stamkopoulos. However, it's the Swedish superstar Emil "Larssen" Larsson who has been stealing the headlines with his mid-lane performances, which has bagged him four MVP titles. The team also went on a nine-game win streak before it was ended by Misfits.
G2 Esports have been able to keep up with the top pack, albeit some ways behind. After deciding to part ways with Martin "Rekkles" Larsson to the LFL, the team restructured themselves with three new additions. And for the most part, they will highly likely secure a playoff spot for themselves but it'll be intersting to see how they handle the knockout stage pressure.
The LEC's only ever Worlds winner has also been on fine form of late, securing the second seed for themselves and are not looking to relinquish it anytime soon. With the addition of Marek "Humanoid" Brázda, Martin "Wunder" Hansen, and Iván "Razork" Martín Díaz to the starting lineup, Fnatic have started to look more like their former selves of the past. Misfits was also busy during the off-season with two changes and it has worked out for them with the third seed in their grasp.
The fight for the last two spots
With the first four seeds to the playoffs already almost certain, the battle for the last two spots are heating up. Excel Esports currently sit in fifth on a level score of 8-7 with Team Vitality. Excel has the upperhand due to winning the series 2-0 between the two. SK Gaming and MAD Lions are also in a similar boat; both teams are level on score at 5-10 but SK has the advantage after winning in the series against MAD.
As the final week of games approaches, this fight for the last two spots could potentially affect the outcome of the other top-seeded teams. Excel's next three games are against G2, SK, and Fnatic and while G2 are expected to win the second match, both SK and Fnatic lost against Excel earlier in the split. If they can replicate those performances for this week, it will put them in good stead for the playoffs.
Vitality have had a rollercoaster season despite the big-name signing of one Luka "Perkz" Perkovic. The team have yet to hit their stride, winning eight and losing seven in the process during the spring split. And while they're currently a mid-table team, this final week push could help the team go further. Their last three games are against MAD, G2, and Astralis, which could also affect the table. Given that they defeated both G2 and Astralis earlier this season, taking two more wins would put them in a good position to qualify.
And that's where MAD comes into the equation. Last year's champion of the LEC have had a bad start to the year after losing two of their star players to rival teams. With their first match of the final week against Vitality, MAD will be looking to pick up maximum points this weekend as their final two games are against Team BDS and Astralis, two teams who have not stepped up to the heat of the competition yet. SK Gaming will also have their hand in the mix as their match against Excel will be crucial to the final stretch of the race.
Who will take it?
With Rogue seemingly already qualified as the number one seed, this final week will be crucial for at least seven teams. It could also force a four-way tie-breaker for fifth and sixth. However, this will only happen if both Excel Esports and Team Vitality lose all three games while SK Gaming and MAD Lions pick up all three wins. The final weekend for the LEC Spring Split starts later today so be sure to tune in to catch all the action.
