LoL Grind Down: EU - Friday, July 22nd
Welcome to the RotoGrinders League of Legends Grind Down. In this all-encompassing preview of the upcoming LCS action, every game will be broken down statistically, with several key elements highlighted in our charts.
We provide Defense versus Position data for each team, along with the RotoGrinders original stat, Pace. Every game is also broken down, providing an overview of the game and a selection of players to consider from each match.
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G2 Esports vs. FC Schalke
| G2 Esports | FC Schalke | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Sprd | -117 |  | Vegas Sprd | +728 | |||||||
| Avg. Pts. | 16.5 | Avg. Pts. | 12.0 | |||||||||
| Avg. Pts./W | 19.1 | Avg. Pts./W | 17.5 | |||||||||
| FB% | 38% | FB% | 38% | |||||||||
| Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks | Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks | |||||||||||
| DvP Rks | Top | Jng | Mid | Supp | ADC | DvP Rks | Top | Jng | Mid | Supp | ADC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | Kikis | Trick | PerkZ | Mithy | Zven | Players | Steve | Gilius | Fox | sprattel | MrRalleZ | |
| Opp. Season | 19.60% | 13.18% | 10.40% | 0.82% | -0.22% | Opp. Season | -15.50% | -19.10% | -17.86% | -10.22% | -18.78% | |
Prior to Thursday’s defeat to ROCCAT, Schalke were in position to survive this likely loss to G2. ROCCAT had become the league’s clear-cut weakest team and the win would have had FCS sitting in 6th place. Instead, they’re now tied for 7th and should they lose to G2, relegation becomes a possibility. G2 are the regions strongest team, so this match and it’s likely outcome does says more about the strength of their squad than it does anything about Schalke. Europe has been anything but predictable throughout the split, but G2’s zero losses and consistently strong play have been the one constant. There’s little reason to see this as anything other than a 2-0 sweep for G2 Esports, a loss that will have Schalke needing wins next week.
G2 Esports
Elite Plays
Perkz (DK $7,800, AD $8,000) – A little bit of the carry ability showed through for Perkz on Thursday as he posted 13 kills with just one death. Perhaps more importantly, if you’re playing on AlphaDraft to try to reach their World Fantasy Esports Championship, Perkz provides a $400 discount from Zven.
G2 Esports (DK $5,500, AD $3,800) – The safety provided by G2 just isn’t being factored into this pricing. Zero losses all season and unlikely to start now.
Secondary Plays
None.
FC Schalke
Elite Plays
None.
Secondary Plays
None.
H2k vs. Splyce
| H2k | Splyce | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Sprd | +298 |  | Vegas Sprd | +199 | |||||||
| Avg. Pts. | 12.0 | Avg. Pts. | 12.3 | |||||||||
| Avg. Pts./W | 17.7 | Avg. Pts./W | 17.8 | |||||||||
| FB% | 52% | FB% | 54% | |||||||||
| Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks | Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks | |||||||||||
| DvP Rks | Top | Jng | Mid | Supp | ADC | DvP Rks | Top | Jng | Mid | Supp | ADC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | Odoamne | Jankos | Ryu | VandeR | Freeze | Players | Wunderwear | Trashy | Sencux | Mikyx | Kobbe | |
| Opp. Season | 1.89% | -1.72% | -2.10% | -2.39% | 2.89% | Opp. Season | -11.97% | -12.47% | -4.09% | -6.11% | -10.96% | |
I wanted to open this segment with a line about H2k’s fall being just as surprising as Splyce’s surge, but the 2-0 win over Vitality was about as impressive as H2k has been in quite some time. A pair of decisive wins over a competitive, but not great opponent. Vitality aren’t what I personally hoped for them to be, but provide enough challenge that a team of H2k’s recent standing would be unlikely to defeat. They did just that though, rather easily dispatching them 2-0 and looking good in the process. Friday’s match is a big test for H2k if they want to be taken seriously heading into the playoffs.
That test being Splyce may prove too tough for H2k, though. This team has proven that they are a contender for the summer title and could find their way here to the U.S. for Worlds later in the year. However, there is a concern for fantasy here. It’s just one match, but Splyce’s Kill Participation across the board in their 2-0 win against Fnatic on Thursday was shockingly low. It was as if the Spring Split version of of the team showed up, but had gained the ability to win the way that they used to lose. I’ll still be on Splyce here, but with tempered expectations for points.
H2k
Elite Plays
None.
Secondary Plays
Ryu (DK $6,800, AD $7,100) – Wait, Ryu is the least expensive mid laner on AlphaDraft? H2k hasn’t been good, so it’s not completely unexpected, I suppose. He’s worth a look though, especially given that he should have figured out by now that Freeze is not going to be his team’s carry.
Splyce
Elite Plays
Sencux (DK $7,200, AD $8,100) – Splyce’s strange kill distribution on Thursday was no problem for Sencux, who posted a solid 12/2/8 against Fnatic.
Secondary Plays
Trashy (DK $6,100, AD $7,900) – I really like this play in WFEC contests on AD. It’s an easier play on DK given the prices, but should have lower ownership on the former given that Trashy is only slightly cheaper than bigger name junglers.
Unicorns of Love vs. Roccat
| Unicorns of Love | Roccat | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Sprd | +117 |  | Vegas Sprd | +513 | |||||||
| Avg. Pts. | 13.4 | Avg. Pts. | 9.5 | |||||||||
| Avg. Pts./W | 18.7 | Avg. Pts./W | 17.0 | |||||||||
| FB% | 45% | FB% | 44% | |||||||||
| Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks | Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks | |||||||||||
| DvP Rks | Top | Jng | Mid | Supp | ADC | DvP Rks | Top | Jng | Mid | Supp | ADC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | Vizicasacsi | Move | Exileh | Hylissang | Veritas | Players | Parang | Airwaks | Betsy | Raise | Steelback | |
| Opp. Season | -9.78% | -5.68% | -4.45% | -2.67% | -3.58% | Opp. Season | 8.88% | 9.31% | 6.68% | 8.62% | -0.33% | |
I don’t believe you, ROCCAT, and you can’t make me. I still have ROCCAT as a team that’s likely to be relegated and think Unicorns can further confirm that for us today. It would be wrong to call Unicorns a good team, but they badly need a win here against the league’s bottom-feeder. Any of the teams in 6th-8th place could take the last spot in the playoffs and taking a loss to ROCCAT at this point would be a disaster. I don’t see it happening. ROCCAT continue to lead the league in deaths by a wide margin and should be expected to continue that on Friday.
Prices on Unicorns players are quite generous, fortunately. It does mean elevated ownership levels are likely, but we’ll stomach that for a likely 2-0 win.
Unicorns of Love
Elite Plays
Veritas (DK $7,700, AD $8,000) – Interestingly, Unicorns have just one player who has a KP of at laest 70%. That’s Veritas, who I also expect to have lower ownership than fellow carry Exileh. They’re similar in value, but the crowd should gravitate to Exileh.
Secondary Plays
Vizicsacsi (DK $6,800, AD $7,500) – There’s not a lot to say here. Csacsi will be a crutch pick on Friday. I’ll happily take that crutch.
Roccat
Elite Plays
None.
Secondary Plays
Steeelback (DK $6,600, AD $7,500) – With Unicorns being relatively mediocre, we can afford to punt here with Steeelback if needed or looking to be ultra contrarian. Because ROCCAT have a clearly defined best player, at least we know where to go.
Origen vs. Fnatic
| Origen | Fnatic | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Sprd | +717 |  | Vegas Sprd | -144 | |||||||
| Avg. Pts. | 14.3 | Avg. Pts. | 14.7 | |||||||||
| Avg. Pts./W | 21.7 | Avg. Pts./W | 19.0 | |||||||||
| FB% | 60% | FB% | 47% | |||||||||
| Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks | Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks | |||||||||||
| DvP Rks | Top | Jng | Mid | Supp | ADC | DvP Rks | Top | Jng | Mid | Supp | ADC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | sOAZ | Amazing | PowerOfEvil | Hybrid | FORG1VEN | Players | Gamsu | Spirit | Febiven | YellOwStaR | Rekkles | |
| Opp. Season | 24.35% | 29.41% | 23.41% | 20.34% | 34.23% | Opp. Season | 4.78% | 6.50% | 6.79% | 6.89% | 8.92% | |
This is a prime spot for Origen to be picked apart. Fnatic’s inability to remain established as the league’s 2nd best team isn’t making their team, nor fans very happy. Origen provide opportunity to end the week on a positive note and begin figuring out how they’re going to find a way to beat top Splyce and G2 in the playoffs. The Kikis addition was talked up as an immediate improvement and while I agree that it is, it’s still far closer to a side grade than it is a monumental improvement to the team.
For Origen and their Toaster, this is a lost cause. Toaster is quite clearly a better player in the ADC role than xPeke, but the team isn’t any better than it was before. Ideally, this move saves them from relegation against whichever Challenger Series opponent they are facing in the Promotion/Relegation tournament, since I’d like to see this team get back on track. Roster changes are needed though, and the 2017 Origen squad might be unrecognizable. It wouldn’t surprise me if this team lost out all the way through the tournament.
Origen
Elite Plays
None.
Secondary Plays
None.
Fnatic
Elite Plays
Rekkles (DK $7,800, AD $8,300) – Let’s try this again. For fellow writer AirBud’s sake, after Rekkles floppped yesterday. Rekkles will be facing off against the 2nd worst team in the league and in lane against a metal box called a Toaster. Expect a big performance.
Secondary Plays
Kikis (DK $7,000, AD $7,700) – If you’ve got extra salary to burn, or are willing to depend on Fnatic, paying up for Kikis is perfectly reasonable. Kikis is never going to be known as a Huni or even a Cabochard type, but he’s plenty good enough to be involved in a big way.
Giants vs. Vitality
| Giants | Vitality | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Sprd | +245 |  | Vegas Sprd | +265 | |||||||
| Avg. Pts. | 11.0 | Avg. Pts. | 13.0 | |||||||||
| Avg. Pts./W | 19.2 | Avg. Pts./W | 18.7 | |||||||||
| FB% | 54% | FB% | 66% | |||||||||
| Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks | Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks | |||||||||||
| DvP Rks | Top | Jng | Mid | Supp | ADC | DvP Rks | Top | Jng | Mid | Supp | ADC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | SmittyJ | Maxlore | NighT | Hustlin | SONSTAR | Players | Cabochard | MightBear | Nukeduck | KaSing | Police | |
| Opp. Season | -12.19% | -9.89% | -5.23% | -5.11% | -8.99% | Opp. Season | -10.06% | -9.53% | -13.54% | -10.16% | -3.18% | |
Giant’s can’t make up their mind, alternating between defeating great teams, losing to mediocre ones and crushing bad ones. Who is this team? I’m hoping that they do find their way into the playoffs so that we can see what they’ve got in a meaningful best of five against a tough opponent. In their last six matches, Giants defeated Fnatic and H2k and drew against G2. A loss to Unicorns tossed a major wrench into their playoff hopes though, and now they’ll need at least a draw against Vitality to remain a solid playoff favorite. That’s doable enough, especially after crushing Origen on Thursday. 2-0 wins over Origen aren’t the statement they might have been some months ago, but it was a well played victory and a rebound after going 0-4 back in Week Seven.
Vitality may have had Shook return to the fold, but they still miss Hjarnan in the bot lane. This is a team that lacks punch and on-the-Rift leadership. Cabochard looks really, really good when his team plays well around him, but very few top laners can truly carry a team that isn’t winning their lanes. This is a candidate to be a surprise relegation, should they finish in 8th place.
Giants
Elite Plays
S0NSTAR (DK $7,100, AD $7,800) – The Police are coming for S0NSTAR, which happens to be a good thing in this case, because he’s not scary at all.
Secondary Plays
SmittyJ (DK $6,200, AD $7,300) – Very affordable prices on both sites and coming off a cumulative match total line of 14/1/11. Those are elite numbers, but Smitty is still a guy who once wasn’t good enough for now defunct Team Dignitas.
Vitality
Elite Plays
None.
Secondary Plays
Shook (AD $7,200) – Vitality players in general are a little much for me on DraftKings, but Shook in particular is worth cheap consideration on AlphaDraft.
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