LOL LEC Spring Week 1 – Day 1 Betting Previews and Predictions
The League of Legends European Championship (LEC) 2021 Spring kicks off on Friday, January 22 with five games, when we will see 10 of the strongest European LoL teams clash on the Rift and showcase their off-season acquisitions. Here is our betting preview and predictions for Day one of LEC 2021 Spring.
We will keep our betting previews for day one of the LEC 2021 Spring short since we have already covered pretty much everything there is to say about the teams in our LEC 2021 Spring season preview, which you can find HERE. For more esports betting previews and tips check out our esports section, where you can find free CS:GO and LCS betting previews.
G2 Esports vs MAD Lions
Friday, January 22 – 18:00 CET
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you should be award of G2’s offseason moves, which saw the arrival of Rekkles in favour of Perkz. The roster change does not look bad as far as the quality of player goes and we would even go so far to say that Rekkles is a better ADC than Perkz ever was, but there is more to it that meets the eye.
Perkz was essentially an in-game leader in G2 which begs the questions of how will G2 do in the long run and who will take over as the new leader and shot caller. Regardless, the reigning champions field an extremely strong roster and are rightfully the favourites to win the split, albeit they still seem a bit overpriced – likely because of all the hype surrounding the organisation and the big signing.
You can either be very excited about MAD Lions heading into the 2021 season or not at all, but if we draw a line, this team has the potential to shine. Keeping their core and acquiring a new top laner and jungler in Armut and Elyoya does bring up some questions, but as mentioned in our LEC 2021 Spring season preview, I view them as an upgrade due to their versatility.
This game should be much closer to what many people believe. MAD had the whole offseason to prepare something spicy for G2 who we expect will struggle with chemistry early on. G2 are also one of the teams that starts the season slow, so there is a world where MAD win and at 3.47, I’m ready to take a shot with the underdogs.
Prediction: MAD Lions to win – 3.47 at Pinnacle
Prediction: MAD Lions +8.5 kills – 1.877 at Pinnacle
Astralis vs SK Gaming
Friday, January 22 – 19:00 CET
I’m not too high on either of the teams, but if I had to pick one, I like Astralis’s project much better than SK’s largely because SK disappointed with their offseason moves. SK are objectively stronger because they field proven talent whereas Astralis’ core is assembled of only rookies, which also makes the rebranded OG one of the most underrated teams heading into the new season.
This is a 50/50 match, value on Astralis.
Prediction: Astralis to win – 2.04 at Pinnacle
Rogue vs Excel Esports
Friday, January 22 – 20:00 CET
By changing up their top laner, Rogue come off as a stronger version of themselves from 2020, but I would not be too quick to jump on the hype. Finn was – unlike what most people believe – not a bad player so I don’t believe Odoamne will be a massive upgrade, however, he will be a upgrade nonetheless.
Other than that, Rogue also parted ways with Vander and replaced him with a rookie Trymbi, who has shown some promise, but for now I have to rank him as a mediocre support – until he proves me wrong.
I have no problem saying Rogue will compete for a top-three finish this split and while I am excited to see how this team will do, I’m equally as excited to see the development of Excel. Having YoungBuck as your coach will guarantee you some sort of success in the long run especially when you put young prospects under his wing.
Excel’s new mid laner is Czekolad, is the most hyped-up rookie entering the LEC this season and I couldn’t imagine a better team for him to land on and develop. Excel have also retained Patrik, who was easily one of the best European ADC and his bottom lane partner Tore, who form one of the best top-four bottom lanes in the league. There is some room for improvement in other lanes, but these are still mostly rookies, so it should become fairly obvious who is good and who isn’t in a few weeks.
This is the first match of the split so there is definitely a room for an upset win. I have my doubts whether Excel can achieve that feat largely because Rogue were extremely consistent last season, but I also don’t believe Rogue will completely stomp the UK squad.
Prediction: Excel +7.5 kills – 1.763 at Pinnacle
Team Vitality vs Schalke 04
Friday, January 22 – 21:00 CET
I have already talked about these two teams in our LEC 2021 Spring preview, so I’ll refrain from repeating myself here and instead focus on the prediction.
As mentioned, I see the potential in both teams to do wonderful things this season and while Schalke 04 might seem better on paper, I view Vitality as one of the most underrated teams in the league and a punch up underdogs largely because they played much better than what their LEC 2020 Summer record would suggest.
There are some question marks above Szygenda and his ability to step in Cabochard’s shoes, however, he was a very solid player in the development league, so I expect him to be at least serviceable early on. All in all Vitality come off as a solid team with fairly stable bottom lane and an underappreciated mid laner Milica.
This game can go both ways, value should be with the French squad.
Prediction: Vitality to win – 2.26 at Pinnacle
Misfits vs Fnatic
Friday, January 22 – 21:00 CET
I won’t be betting on this match, so if you’re looking for my explanation of which team to pick and why, you might as well skip this part.
Misfits are one of the teams I had a tough time ranking because they have a few talented players, none of which I have high expectations for. This, however, can easily change if Kobbe and Razork show their old form and if at least one rookie steps up and proves he is at mid-tier.
On the other side, I have a completely opposite perception of Fnatic, who I believe enter the 2021 season with a stronger roster that what they had in 2020 despite the departure of Rekkles. They have not only acquired a criminally underrated mid laner and ADC in Nisqy and Upset, but have also upgraded their coaching staff with coach YamatoCannon and analyst Tolki.
Normally I would side with Fnatic, but the boys in orange have a history of starting splits slow, and since there are also a lot of moving pieces coming into the new season, I have to pass on this match. At better odds, I would consider a bet on Fnatic though so take that as you may.
No Prediction
Come back tomorrow for LEC 2021 Spring Day 2 betting previews, when we will take a look at the second set of games of the season. For premium bets follow us on BetMarkets or join our premium membership.
