The LPL 2020 Spring Split has finally concluded yesterday, on April 20. With at least three regions ready to deploy their representatives for the anticipated 2020 Mid-Season Invitational, it is now China’s turn to determine their own.

With former Worlds champion title holders seeded in the Semis, can they live up to the hype, or will another unsuspecting team claim the glory?

Now, the LPL 2020 Spring Playoffs is set to officially start on the 22nd of April 2020, 5:00 PM GMT+8. The participants are listed below, from the highest seed to the lowest:

  • 1st Seed/Semifinalist: Invictus Gaming (iG)
  • 2nd Seed/Semifinalist: JD Gaming (JGD)
  • 3rd Seed/Quarterfinalist: FunPlus Phoenix (FPX)
  • 4th Seed/Quarterfinalist: Top Esports (TES)
  • 5th Seed: eStar (ES)
  • 6th Seed: EDward Gaming (EDG)
  • 7th Seed: Royal Never Give Up (RNG)
  • 8th Seed: Team WE (WE)

In the following sections, I’d like to make my predictions on Round 1 of the playoffs, along with my predictions for who’s going to take the trophy.

The action starts tomorrow.

Round 1, Match 1: eStar (ES) vs Team WE (WE)

Looking on the statistics for both teams during the Spring Split, eStar outclasses Team WE in many aspects. On one hand, eStar has a team win/loss ratio of 62% out of 32 games, 1.34 kill/death ratio, and averages of 50.7% jungle control, 60% dragon control, and 69% Baron control.

On the other hand, Team WE has a team win/loss ratio of 49% out of 41 games, 1.05 kill/death ratio, and averages of 48.1% jungle control, 54% dragon control, and 52% of baron control.

Based on numbers alone, eStar should have a clear-cut advantage against Team WE in the upcoming match.

Round 1, Match 2: EDward Gaming (EDG) vs Royal Never Give Up (RNG)

Being the 6th and 7th seed respectively, their numbers are pretty close. EDG has a 56% team win/loss out of 41 games, 1.35 kill/death ratio, and averages of 49.3% jungle control, 51% dragon control, and 57% Baron control in their Spring split games.

Meanwhile, RNG has a 53% win/loss ratio out of 38 games, 1.13 kill/death ratio, and averages of 49.4% jungle control, 52% dragon control, and 45% dragon control.

The only standout factor is who often gets the Baron, which statistically is EDG in this matchup. I predict that they’ll be sure to fight for the Baron win condition to close out their games. With higher kill/death ratios than RNG, there is likely to be explosive gameplay from EDG.

Champion Predictions

For who will take it all in the LPL Spring 2020 split, it’s a tough call. FunPlus Phoenix (FPX) with their unconventional playstyle did lead them to bring home the coveted Worlds trophy last November. However, Invictus Gaming (iG) is certainly no stranger to the fact, being the 2018 World Champion themselves.

JD Gaming and Top Esports are rising stars in the midst of these big names in the LPL. They have the numbers to back their seeding, but their previous tournament results fall short to the likes of iG. I would certainly root for them as well, for they are promising teams who could make that final push to the top.

Personally, I’d like to see FPX win this one because of how much they had shaken the global scene. I would love to see another round of innovations and spectacles.

Round 1 starts tomorrow at 5:00 PM GMT+8. Stay tuned!

Statistics utilized for analysis were obtained from Oracle’s Elixir.