Playoff Fates Determined: LPL Week 10 Preview

The curtains are closing on this year’s LPL Spring Split. With one more week of matches left, you’ll want to know which games to keep your eye on. We’ve highlighted a few games that affect playoff contention and also games that are previews of future playoff matches.

TIE BREAKER RULES

1.) Game Differential

2.) Head-to-Head

Photo courtesy of @RNG电子竞技俱乐部 on Weibo

ROYAL NEVER GIVE UP vs. NINJAS IN PYJAMAS

PLAYOFF CONTENTION

RNG (7-7) are in a fierce battle with a few other teams occupying the seven wins section of the league right now. Every win matters and because of the tiebreaker rules, even just dropping a game against NiP could be detrimental. We’ve highlighted this game specifically because NiP, despite being eliminated, does have something to play for. They’ve recently bedded in a new jungler, Zhao "shad0w" Zhi-Qiang. Readers might recognize this name, either because of his promising season on LGD or because of his 2020 Worlds appearance on MAD Lions. Either way, shad0w has had a fascinating career path and NiP may have enough of a “honeymoon phase" to take a game off of a relatively shaky RNG.

Photo courtesy of @滔搏电子竞技俱乐部 on Weibo

OH MY GOD vs. TOP ESPORTS

PLAYOFF CONTENTION & POTENTIAL MATCHUP

Both OMG (8-6) and TES (8-6) have seen the rougher side of things lately. With both teams holding identical records and being on brutal loss streaks, this game holds a lot of weight. Whoever loses this match might have their playoff destiny decided by tie breaker rules, so winning with a clean 2-0 would be the best outcome not only for confidence but for contention.

Photo courtesy of @WE电子竞技俱乐部 on Weibo

WORLD ELITE vs. WEIBO GAMING

PLAYOFF CONTENTION

WE (7-7) is another one of our seven-win teams and their playoff fate relies on beating one of the top dogs in the LPL. WBG have looked hit or miss this split, recently losing to our other seven-win team RNG (7-7). A win here is crucial if WE want to see what the playoffs hold in store for them and WBG is genuinely a beatable team. Keep your eye on Hope and Iwandy in the bot lane for WE, they might just be able to work a miracle.

Photo courtesy of @iG电子竞技俱乐部 on Weibo

INVICTUS GAMING vs. BILIBILI GAMING

PLAYOFF CONTENTION & POTENTIAL MATCHUP

IG (7-7)  had a promising start to the Spring Split. Their top laner YSKM had some pop-off performances early on but they seem to be running out of gas. They are another one of our seven-win teams that has to go through a top squad in BLG (9-5) to feel safe about advancing to the playoff stage.

Photo courtesy of @BLG电子竞技俱乐部 on Weibo

OH MY GOD vs. BILIBILI GAMING

PLAYOFF CONTENTION & POTENTIAL MATCHUP

Depending on the result of the previously mentioned OMG (8-6) vs. TES (8-6) game, this match might not be as important as it seems now. However we’ve noted it here as it is an incredibly exciting matchup nonetheless.