LoL Grind Down: EU - Thursday, July 14th
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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Roccat vs. Vitality
| Roccat | Vitality | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Sprd | +356 |  | Vegas Sprd | +168 | |||||||
| Avg. Pts. | 9.3 | Avg. Pts. | 12.8 | |||||||||
| Avg. Pts./W | 17.0 | Avg. Pts./W | 19.3 | |||||||||
| FB% | 47% | FB% | 68% | |||||||||
| Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks | Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks | |||||||||||
| DvP Rks | Top | Jng | Mid | Supp | ADC | DvP Rks | Top | Jng | Mid | Supp | ADC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | Parang | Airwaks | Betsy | Raise | Steelback | Players | Cabochard | MightBear | Nukeduck | KaSing | Police | |
| Opp. Season | 8.22% | 9.52% | 5.94% | 5.96% | -1.81% | Opp. Season | -10.28% | -10.46% | -14.24% | -11.86% | -8.32% | |
Here we have the two European teams who just can’t figure out who they are. Vitality once again entered the split with expectations of reaching the playoffs and contending the title, while ROCCAT hoped to be the region’s upstart team. Vitality has crashed and burned even harder than they did earlier this year. ROCCAT appeared ready to show forward progress toward the start of the season, but now sit in last place, only ever earning a single win. Aside from the disaster that is Origen, these are the team’s actual worst teams.
But hey, at least ROCCAT’s single win came against Vitality. Steeelback posted an insane 18 kills in the two game sweep back in week two. Raise had 20 assists in game one alone. Looking back, perhaps we should have realized earlier that Vitality just wasn’t any good, instead many(like myself) were too quick to give ROCCAT credit. That brings us to today’s match, which I don’t necessarily see being a repeat. ROCCAT has looked weaker than ever in recent weeks. Vitality haven’t been world beaters, but at least picked up the win over Origen last week.
Roccat
Elite Plays
None.
Secondary Plays
Steeelback (DK $6,800, AD $7,300) – For most teams, supports and junglers tend to lead the way in Kill Participation. That is not so for ROCCAT, who are lead by their ADC. If that doesn’t show you how heavily this team relies on Steeelback to try to be relevant each week, nothing will.
Vitality
Elite Plays
Shook (DK $6,300, AD $7,400) – I’ll never understand what exactly led to Vitality starting Mightybear for 16 games, but Shook has been a clear improvement. Statistically, he’s doing less, but he’s making up for it in movement and First Bloods. The team is allocating more resources away from the jungler, yet still seeing better results.
Secondary Plays
Nukeduck (DK $7,300, AD $7,600) – Middle of the pack in pricing on both sites and is my preferred carry from Vitality. In a match where a sweep is an underrated possibility, there’s chance for big value here.
G2 Esports vs. Splyce
| G2 Esports | Splyce | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Sprd | +101 |  | Vegas Sprd | +590 | |||||||
| Avg. Pts. | 16.5 | Avg. Pts. | 11.8 | |||||||||
| Avg. Pts./W | 18.9 | Avg. Pts./W | 17.6 | |||||||||
| FB% | 37% | 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 | Kikis | Trick | PerkZ | Mithy | Zven | Players | Wunderwear | Trashy | Sencux | Mikyx | Kobbe | |
| Opp. Season | 19.81% | 13.07% | 12.45% | 3.74% | 3.84% | Opp. Season | -13.60% | -17.02% | -7.38% | -7.77% | -12.79% | |
Sitting in third place, Splyce are uniquely situated to prosper or despair on short notice. An upset win here and Splyce would become a favorite to earn a first round bye in the playoffs. A loss could see them sink down to 5th place. The team has played well enough that they should be able find enough points the rest of the way to reach the playoffs, but this is a surprisingly big late season match which no one could have seen coming. These two teams, along with Fnatic, are the only three to have already reached 300 total kills for the season. Expect blood, regardless of result.
What will that result be, though? For me, it’s a G2 win here. A tie wouldn’t be unheard of, both teams do have an equal amount of ties and wins, but Splyce still isn’t at G2’s level. I do like Splyce as a team, especially their revamped play style, which has been an amazing transformation from the snail’s pace they employed during the Spring Split. None the less, G2 are too strong. They’ve got just the right opponent to reach value on their expensive-as-always salaries, too.
G2 Esports
Elite Plays
Zven (DK $7,500, AD $8,400) – We will gladly accept the discount Zven is receiving on DraftKings, while still paying up for him as the most expensive player on AlphaDraft. Perkz isn’t quite having a sophomore slump, however he’s clearly behind Zven on G2’s carry priority. He has less kills, less asists and 25 more deaths.
Secondary Plays
Expect (DK $6,600, AD $8,100) – Our RotoGrinder’s projections have Expect as the highest top laner. This is boosted by Splyce being one of the league’s worst teams when losing against enemy top laners.
Splyce
Elite Plays
None.
Secondary Plays
Trashy (DK $5,500, AD $7,500) – Don’t write off Splyce entirely. G2 still give up 9 deaths per game on average and skirmish as much as ever.
Fnatic vs. H2k
| Fnatic | H2k | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Sprd | +151 |  | Vegas Sprd | +389 | |||||||
| Avg. Pts. | 14.1 | Avg. Pts. | 13.0 | |||||||||
| Avg. Pts./W | 19.0 | Avg. Pts./W | 17.7 | |||||||||
| FB% | 44% | FB% | 55% | |||||||||
| Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks | Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks | |||||||||||
| DvP Rks | Top | Jng | Mid | Supp | ADC | DvP Rks | Top | Jng | Mid | Supp | ADC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | Gamsu | Spirit | Febiven | YellOwStaR | Rekkles | Players | Odoamne | Jankos | Ryu | VandeR | Freeze | |
| Opp. Season | 8.41% | 9.65% | 10.06% | 11.37% | 13.17% | Opp. Season | 2.50% | -2.11% | -0.77% | 0.37% | 5.43% | |
Off the top, you’ll want to note that Gamsu has departed Fnatic and is replaced by former G2 man Kikis. As far as fantasy goes, this changes little to nothing in the short term. Fnatic wouldn’t make this move if they weren’t positive it would influence the team in a good way going forward though, so I’ll be watching Kikis’ performance and dynamic with his new teammates closely. H2k also made a slight change in bringing FORG1VEN back to the team. He won’t play today, but monitor that going forward as well.
Today’s match is exactly the type that’s been nearly unpredictable so far this season. It would appear that H2k are trending downward, perhaps even with the possibility of missing the playoffs. Fnatic haven’t been stellar, yet continue to hold onto the two spot with relative ease. By all accounts, this should be a Fnatic victory. Europe’s teams are operating at a “play to their opponents level” type of style and Fnatic need to avoid that to get the win. FORG1VEN’s return to the H2k house does put some pressure on ADC Freeze, who has been mediocre at best. Rekkles and Yellowstar do not provide his best platform to try to right the ship though, which is why I do think Fnatic manages the 2-0.
Fnatic
Elite Plays
Rekkles (DK $7,200, AD $8,300) – As mentioned, matching up against Freeze should have Rekkles chomping at the bit to hit the rift. In losses, H2k perform worse against enemy ADCs than any other team in Europe.
Secondary Plays
Spirit (DK $6,100) – I won’t be pulling the trigger on a jungler in this match on AlphaDraft. Spirit’s well within our range on DraftKings, however.
H2k
Elite Plays
None.
Secondary Plays
Odoamne (DK $6,100, AD $7,200) – To the best of our knowledge, Kikis has been in the Fnatic house for a very short period of time. It wouldn’t be the first time that a team made the mistake of starting a player who simply wasn’t ready to join their team. Odoamne isn’t the type to prey on weakness, he’s certainly no Huni, but will certainly be looking for help from Jankos to build a top lane lead.
Origen vs. FC Schalke
| Origen | FC Schalke | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Sprd | +320 |  | Vegas Sprd | +179 | |||||||
| Avg. Pts. | 13.7 | Avg. Pts. | 11.5 | |||||||||
| Avg. Pts./W | 21.9 | Avg. Pts./W | 17.5 | |||||||||
| FB% | 55% | 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 | sOAZ | Amazing | PowerOfEvil | Hybrid | FORG1VEN | Players | Steve | Gilius | Fox | sprattel | MrRalleZ | |
| Opp. Season | 24.06% | 30.65% | 22.13% | 16.38% | 32.41% | Opp. Season | -16.85% | -18.49% | -17.94% | -9.47% | -20.42% | |
It took far, far too long, but Origen have finally replaced xPeke as their starting ADC. Toaster replaces him. Can’t entirely confirm whether or not it will be a person or an actual toaster, so we’ll just have to wait and see. It probably won’t matter, as even against a mid-level team like Schalke, Origen are easy pickings right now. They’re barely a team and just had their entire staff leave the organization yesterday. 2-0s are difficult to pull off at this level of play for any team, and Origen still boasts a roster with legitimate LCS players, so of course we have no guarantee. For fantasy though, I’m approaching this as a Schalke win and looking to get their players into my lineups.
Origen
Elite Plays
None.
Secondary Plays
None.
FC Schalke
Elite Plays
MrRallez (DK $7,700, AD $7,900) – Admittedly, I know very little about Origen’s new ADC. He’s been on a few lesser known teams, bu the jump right onto the LCS stage is a massive leap, and Rallez should take advantage.
Secondary Plays
Steve (AD $7,400) – I can’t quite pull the trigger on Steve at his loft price on DraftKings. Against soaz though, he’s affordable enough to be worth a look on AlphaDraft.
Unicorns of Love vs. Giants
| Unicorns of Love | Giants | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Sprd | +174 |  | Vegas Sprd | +341 | |||||||
| Avg. Pts. | 12.5 | Avg. Pts. | 12.2 | |||||||||
| Avg. Pts./W | 18.7 | Avg. Pts./W | 19.2 | |||||||||
| FB% | 40% | FB% | 63% | |||||||||
| 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 | SmittyJ | Maxlore | NighT | Hustlin | SONSTAR | |
| Opp. Season | -9.73% | -4.73% | -3.14% | -2.63% | -1.24% | Opp. Season | -12.54% | -10.09% | -7.12% | -6.10% | -10.26% | |
Wow, Giants. While the team’s improvements in recent weeks were nice to see, it was only in their last three matches have we seen what they are actually capable of. A pair of wins and a tie against Fnatic, H2k and G2 is the strongest three game stretch of any team in the league. Reaching the playoffs now appears to be reality, rather than the distant hope it once was. Consistency will be key for Giants though, or their playoff standing could vanish fast. They sit two spots and four points ahead of Thursday’s opponent in Unicorns of Love, who were also viewed as the league’s worst team at one point this season.
Figuring out how to approach this series is all about how much faith you have in Giants. They don’t come cheaply and on the whole of the season, haven’t been significantly better than Unicorns in their results. The last two weeks for Giants have taken them to another level though, and I do see a sweep as a strong possibility.
Unicorns of Love
Elite Plays
None.
Secondary Plays
Vizicsacsi (DK $5,800, AD $7,200) – If you’re paying down for your top laner, which I often do, it’s the one way I’m willing to target Giants. Vizicsacsi actually has just one kill less than Unicorns ADC Veritas, so any success against Giants is likely involve Csacsi.
Giants
Elite Plays
Night (DK $7,600, AD $8,000) – Night’s trajectory seems to know no bounds. From just another member of the league’s worst team, to a good young player, and now to being almost locked into the Rookie of the Split. This guy’s not just leading his team, but also possibly earning a move and a big paycheck in the offseason.
Secondary Plays
Hustlin (DK $5,600, AD $7,700) – As most of you know, I generally don’t recommend supports, as they literally cannot score points if their teammates don’t. However, Hustlin’s KP of 84% is extraordinarily high and deserves mention. If you have a little salary to burn, paying up for him is advised.
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