LoL EU LCS Summer Split: Day 1
We are on the cusp of yet another LCS Summer Split and the very active offseason has left things pretty wide open among the top teams all building up their rosters to take down the defending champs in G2. If you missed out on some of those roster moves be sure to check out this blog that covers all of the roster changes. If you are planning on watching the games live, be sure to keep track of the new schedule which has games running at the same time. Both will be airing on each of the new Riot Games channels. Finally, be sure to note that every match in the EU LCS will be played in the “best-of-two” format so points will be scored for both games played. With all the housekeeping taken care of, let’s check out what we expect on the rift this week.
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vs 
H2k Gaming (-104) vs Roccat (+680)
Unfortunately with the scheduling now this game probably won’t be seen by too many people as it’s slotted to be at the same time as the headline grabbing matchup of Origen vs G2. Despite that, it does have potential to be an interesting game as both teams have made some changes and while some see H2K as a weaker team than they were in spring, Roccat looks to be much stronger than before. This is a match where you can play both sides a little bit and I wouldn’t recommend stacking too heavily on either side but Jankos and Vander particularly stand out as head and shoulders above their Roccat counterparts. In the mid lane, Ryu has been unable to return to his top form and Betsy is a player to watch coming into this split. H2K certainly has the edge but a split series wouldn’t surprise me just from how this Roccat team looks on paper.
H2k Gaming
Elite Plays
-Jankos (DK $6,700, AD $7,500) – Jankos was statistically the 2nd best jungler in EU last season with the 2nd most kills and assists while leading his position with the highest kill participation as well. I expect H2k to be a little more relaxed and free without Forg1ven in the lineup and the raw, untested Roccat lineup will present plenty of gank opportunities early for Jankos.
Secondary Plays
-Vander (DK $5,200, AD $7,200) – With a new bottom lane partner I still expect the same level of play from Vander. Freeze is a capable and adaptable player and while I may not be ready to pay up for him just yet, I’m a big fan of Vander and his ability to be a playmaker for the team alongside Jankos. Roccat had the 2nd most deaths as a team during the spring split and that could lead to a couple of high assists games for Vander.
Roccat
Elite Plays
- None
Secondary Plays
-Betsy (DK $6,200, AD $7,300) – While Ryu has decent value on only AD, I still prefer being on the Betsy side of things primarily as a flex play. He proved to be the bright spot on the ROC squad during spring and he is one of the best laning phase mid laners in the region. He will likely be the primary carry threat even with the addition of Steelback and that could even be beneficial for him to have another threat on the team. I’ll buy low for now.
vs. 
Origen (+430) vs. G2 Esports (+140)
Few matchups have had the hype of this one coming into a new season and it will be tough for the teams to deliver considering we are just breaking into a new season with so many changes. Teams will take time to adjust to their new roster as well as the meta changes. That being said, G2 looks even stronger than they were in spring with the added duo of Zven and mithy and they are definitely worth targeting in cash lineups. Basically everyone on G2 is worth consideration if you can afford to slot them in. This new Origen team has potential but I fear it will take a little while for them to come together so a one-off contrarian pick may be all they have to offer. Origen does have the veteran experience to possibly steal a game but I don’t see them with a realistic shot of a 2-0 in their favor.
Origen
Elite Plays
- None
Secondary Plays
-SoaZ (DK $6,000, AD $7,300) – Before you dismiss this entirely simply because it’s the much maligned SoaZ, hear me out. Firstly, this will primarily be a punt play on DraftKings more than anything else. Secondly, SoaZ has the one favorable matchup for the team and if they are smart, Origen will exploit that. Kikis has looked to be in decline since playoffs and Origen is known for their prowess in summer far more than spring as far as the individuals on the roster. He may not have the stats that reflect it, but I think SoaZ will be serviceable in this matchup and that’s all you need at this salary. GPP contrarian play for me.
G2 Esports
Elite Plays
-Perkz (DK $7,300, AD $7,900) – Anytime Perkz isn’t the highest salary mid laner he stands out as a fantastic option. Even with the mid lane changes, even with the addition of Zven, Perkz has so much kill potential and his upside is as high as anyone. His ownership number will be very high so stick with him in cash games. – Zven (DK $7,400, AD $8,200) – This is an either/or with Perkz. Pairing both of them may not be wise simply because there may not be enough action to go around to hit on value but in cash games having one of them is the optimal play. Having mithy by his side should allow for a smooth transition. – Trick (DK $6,300, AD $8,00) – If you elect to forgo both Perkz and Zven you should still look at Trick as his is probably the one “must-have” player on the G2 team. He is a priority on DraftKings in cash games but still a great pick on AD.
Secondary Plays
- None
vs. 
Schalke 04 (+219) vs. Unicorns of Love (+270)
The Unicorns are going through another series of major changes but keeping staples in Viziscasci and Hylissang is a decent duo to build around. The additions of several unknowns makes them a team to watch but with the talent level at the top of the league, it’s hard to see them making a move into that group. Schalke 04 picked up most of the Elements squad and adding Fox actually makes them a threat to grab a lower seed in the playoffs. Both teams have some major question marks so I’m going with more known commodities like Fox and MrRalleZ both of which have favorable matchups. Maybe taking a flyer on a UOL player will be in the cards but you are basically relying on these games extending into some sloppy fights where both sides can rack up some points.
Schalke 04
Elite Plays
-Fox (DK $6,800, AD $7,200) – Fox quietly had a very nice spring as he finished in the top 3 in both kills and assists all while having one of the lowest gold shares of all mid laners. If his new team funnels more resources his way he is bound to find even more success and his matchup against an untested player like Exilah is a great recipe for success.
Secondary Plays
-MrRalleZ (DK $7,000, AD $7,400) – One of the underrated ADC’s in the region, MrRalleZ now has a mid laner to take some of the burden off his shoulders and it could pay off this summer. He has a favorable matchup against a relatively inexperienced player and while you may just want to pay up a bit more for someone like Zven, MrRalleZ is a strong GPP/flex option.
Unicorns of Love
Elite Plays
- None
Secondary Plays
-Move (DK $6,100, AD $7,400) – Move is a player I really like in NA and he just basically disappeared up until this point. That obviously points out that a flaw as likely exposed in his game but he’s still a nice sleeper play for this slate against one of the weaker jungler’s in Gillius who is terrible with vision control, an area where Move has been quite strong. This could be a very sloppy two game set which means Move could be in play for a high number of kills/assists.
-Viziscasci (DK $6,400, AD $7,300) – Vizi won’t be a priority play for me but he’s an interesting option. Being one of the only major threats and holding a lot of experience on his team could make him the focal point of this new UOL squad but that remains to be seen. As for move, a sloppy series with kills traded back and forth could make Vizi a strong option just not on the same tier as some other top laners at this point when it comes to value potential.
vs. 
Splyce (+767) vs. Team Vitality (-121)
My arch-nemesis Splyce has returned after they survived relegations and made no improvements to the lineup that has so many holes, even Trent Richardson could find a lane to run through them. Splyce is so risk averse and poor playing that you can’t stack against them too heavily but you definitely can’t stack any of them on your team leaving you with a stalemate and very little fantasy value in their games. They were in the bottom three in both kills for and kills against. Vitality made a few changes and it’s yet to be seen how Police and Mightybear will mesh but for now they have a very winnable matchup, just not a great fantasy matchup.
Splyce
Elite Plays
- None
Secondary Plays
- None
Team Vitality
Elite Plays
-Cabochard (DK $6,900, AD $7,900) – The European king of the top lane is once again one of my favorite plays to start off the summer. Up against Wunder should be an easy winnable matchup even if the meta is shifting him onto tanks, Cabo is one of the few players that can carry a game on those champions. The loss of Shook may hurt him in the long run but not in this particular matchup.
-Vitality Team (DK $5,400, AD $3,800) – Splyce is a bad team that made very little moves during the break to improve. Unless they improved significantly individually, this should be a safe 2-0 set for Vitality. Splyce is known to forfeit objectives quite easily so the points from those should be there as well.
Secondary Plays
- None
vs. 
Fnatic (-264) vs. Giants Gaming (+1868)
Thankfully we only have one matchup that appears completely lopsided on the first day and this is it. The Giants made a flurry of roster moves but did they actually accomplish anything? Just because you went out and got Korean players doesn’t always mean you made your team stronger. Of everyone on the Giants team Night in the mid lane looks to have the most potential but against Febiven I can’t risk taking a flyer on him. Fnatic will be returning to the rift with their famed support Yellowstar and things should be running smoothly as that was the only change. If you want high salary, high floor players, Fnatic must be your go-to.
Fnatic
Elite Plays
-Febiven (DK $8,200, AD $8,000) – The slate is littered with really good options in the mid lane so it’s not 100% necessary to prioritize Febiven but he is also the most likely “sure-thing” to put up a great fantasy day. His matchup is relatively unknown against Night but it shouldn’t matter for a player like Febiven. Highest floor of the group.
Secondary Plays
-Spirit (DK $7,200, AD $7,500) – If the price-tag wasn’t so high on Spirit he would be an elite play but the jungle pool is fairly deep although not quite as deep as the start of last season. Much like Febiven he has a very high floor which always has value. Looking at him on AlphaDraft a bit more than DK.
Giants Gaming
Elite Plays
- None
Secondary Plays
- None