Buzz
Draft picks will heavily sway the outcome of the match between WBG and EDG.
After securing a 3-1 victory against Funplus Phoenix, reigning champions EDward Gaming are gearing up to face Weibo Gaming in round 2. Both teams have exhibited similar performances in the group stage. While leading the table at times, both EDG and WBG have also faced fluctuations leading into the playoffs.
WBG impressively triumphed 2-0 against EDG in the group stage. However, with the current form and the BO5 series format, SofM and the team won't find it easy to clinch a victory against a team aiming to assert dominance like EDG.
Assessing the current strength at each position, both teams appear relatively balanced, with EDG having a slight edge. Therefore, experts predict that the key determinant of success in this match lies in the draft phase.
In their recent defeats in the LPL Spring 2022 group stage, WBG's coaching staff failed to excel in this aspect. Alongside the declining form of SofM and TheShy, poor roster selections have somewhat led WBG to pay the price. Consequently, the team needs adjustments ahead of facing EDG, a team with more experience in this area, while also having a sufficient warm-up in the previous round.
In the bot lane, Zeri remains a contested pick despite numerous nerfs up to patch 12.5. However, Huanfeng's lack of proficiency on this champion could be a weakness for EDG to exploit. As a result, WBG may have to prioritize banning Zeri even in the first rotation. Aphelios and Jinx will continue to compete for dominance in the Bottom Lane, while Xayah, Ezreal, and Kai’sa also have the potential to appear.
Angel may continue to face disadvantages in the Mid Lane. Although LeBlanc and Ahri are popular picks in the playoffs, they are not terrors for WBG's players. Therefore, Ryze will be a contested pick on both sides. Twisted Fate, Sylas, or Viktor are reasonable choices for Angel at the moment.
The Jungle and Support positions are likely not to encounter many champion pool issues. SofM can proficiently use champions like Hecarim, Viego, LeeSin, or even Volibear. Meanwhile, ON also has many aggressive options such as Rakan, Nautilus, Thresh, or Leona. Therefore, the crucial aspect for this duo is individual execution and avoiding unnecessary mistakes.
TheShy, the only representative of WBG in the All-Star lineup, faces the most uncertainty regarding champion selection in the current patch. Champions he traditionally excels with in the Top Lane, such as Sion and Malphite, are gradually losing favor. Gwen is consistently banned, and TheShy's attempts with Jayce or Graves haven't inspired confidence. The inability to effectively use Tryndamere, combined with frequent counters, is also a weakness for TheShy at the moment.
Therefore, Top God needs more innovative choices to counter Flandre in this tense BO5 series. Compared to TheShy, Flandre also has fairly similar champion preferences like Jayce and Graves. However, SofM's close ally is known for surprising picks. Bringing champions like Sejuani or Annie to the top lane in matches against Flandre wouldn't be too unusual.
EDG and WBG will engage in a battle between two teams with fairly similar playstyles. Both prefer a slow-paced early game, while waiting for key players to shine in decisive skirmishes. As a result, this matchup is eagerly anticipated by the Chinese LoL community. It's not just about showcasing skill but also about outplaying opponents even before the match begins.
