LCK Summer 2021 – Week 4 Predictions

LCK Summer 2021 is about the enter its 4^th competitive week and the region is currently being shaken by teams that won’t let the famous organizations enjoy their high status in the region. It’s already been several years since T1 is no longer a top 3 team in South Korea. But now even the likes of DAMWON Gaming are challenged. As for former top teams like DragonX and Hanwha Life, they are now struggling at the bottom of the league.

LCK Summer 2021 Partial Results

LoL’s meta is evolving and the teams are constantly studying each other in the hopes of finding the other’s weak spot. This can lead to drastic changes in a region’s rankings and few succeed in maintaining their position at the top.

At the end of the Group Stage of LCK Spring 2021, Hanwha Life was 3^rd with 12 wins and 6 losses. DragonX was 5^th with 9 wins and 9 losses. Now, just a few months later, Hanwha Life is 9^th with 1 win and 5 losses while DragonX is 10^th with 0 wins and 6 losses.

The situation at the top of the standings table is roughly the same it was before, except this time, Gen.G Esports is the number 1 team and DAMWON Gaming is in 2^nd place. Both teams are still strong, but it’s rather strange to see the unbeatable DAMWON lose 2 of their first 6 matches, while Gen.G is now seemingly unbeatable with 6 consecutive wins in the tournament.

Other important names, such as T1, have had a mediocre performance so far. T1’s current record is 3 wins – 3 losses. If nothing improves, I think that Faker’s team will miss Worlds again this season. And I don’t see why he would choose to continue playing there when he could easily win the world championship with an organization like DAMWON or Gen.G.

Right now, the standings table of LCK Summer 2021 looks like this:

• 1^st place: Gen.G Esports: 6 W – 0 L
• 2^nd place: DAMWON Gaming: 4 W – 2 L
• 3^rd place: Nongshim RedForce: 4 W – 2 L
• 4^th place: Afreeca Freecs: 4 W – 2 L
• 5^th place: Brion Esports: 3 W – 3 L
• 6^th place: SANDBOX Gaming: 3 W – 3 L
• 7^th place: T1: 3 W – 3 L
• 8^th place: KT Rolster: 2 W – 4 L
• 9^th place: Hanwha Life Esports: 1 W – 5 L
• 10^th place: DragonX: 0 W – 6 L

Predictions for Week 4

The 4^th competitive week of LCK Summer 2021 will feature 10 matches. The first two of these matches are scheduled to take place on June 30^th. The final two will take place on July 4^th. The one’s that are worth watching are analyzed below:

T1 versus Afreeca Freeks

This match will be decisive for T1. Because if they can’t beat AF, how will they beat the likes of Gen.G and DAMWON? In order for Faker’s team to guarantee itself a top 6 result and a participation in LCK Summer 2021’s Playoffs, it is mandatory that they win all of the matches against accessible opponents.

From Afreeca’s perspective, this looks like an easy match. Keep in mind that AF’s only two losses so far came against Gen.G and DAMWON. So the team has been highly consistent. By contrast, T1’s victories came against DragonX, Hanwha Life, and Brion. The first two of these three are by far the weakest teams in the league.

Overall, I expect AF to win this match with a score of 2 – 1.

Hanwha Life versus DragonX

The reason why this match is worth watching is that it will decide the fate of one of these competitors. If Hanwha wins, it has a chance to rehabilitate itself until the end of the Split. If DragonX wins, the situation will be quite complicated, as both teams will have an abysmal score. In any case, I think it will be fun to watch the two former greats fighting each other to escape the last position in the league.

I expect DragonX to win this match.

Nongshim RedForce versus DAMWON Gaming

This is one of the week’s most important matches and DAMWON has to win it. Otherwise, their status in the region is no longer relevant. For the time being, this is still the LCK Spring 2021 winner, Mid Season Invitational 2021 finalist, and Worlds 2020 champion. But the public’s perception could change very quickly if Khan and his crew fall against Nongshim.

I expect a score of 0 – 2 in favor of DAMWON Gaming.

DAMWON Gaming versus Gen.G Esports

By far, this match is the most anticipated one of the week. And like any great organizer, Riot kept it for last. Under normal circumstances, this fight could go either way. During LCK Spring 2021, each team managed to win one time against the other. However, given the current circumstances, I believe that Gen.G has a clear advantage.

I expect this match to finish with a 1 – 2 score in favor of Gen.G.

 

Photo credit: Riot Games