As League of Legends Worlds 2024 continues, there have been many unexpected outcomes in the quarterfinals, demonstrating that teams that are well-prepared and able to pick unconventional champions while playing innovative strategies around them hold a significant advantage. The last four teams standing - two from the LPL and two from the LCK - have all showcased solid performances, highlighting their strength as potential contenders for the World Championship title.
Weibo Gaming (4.450*) vs. Bilibili Gaming (1.217*)
This matchup is an LPL derby. To get to the semifinal, Bilibili Gaming (BLG) demonstrated its successful adjustments and delivered a solid performance in the quarterfinals against Hanwha Life Esports (HLE). BLG’s top laner, Chen "Bin" Zebin, dominated the top lane, securing a gold lead in three out of the four games, providing a significant advantage in teamfights and objective control.
Additionally, AD carry, Zhao "Elk" Jiahao, outshined HLE’s Park "Viper" Do-hyeon, who was initially expected to be the best AD carry in the world. A surprise draft in Game 4, featuring a Kindred and Galio jungle-mid combo, performed exceptionally well, with Peng "XUN" Lixun, a Kindred OTP, bringing great momentum to BLG.
Weibo Gaming (WBG) delivered a significant upset against LNG Esports (LNG) in the quarterfinals. A key factor in the victory was head coach Yang "Daeny" Dae-in's well-executed ban/pick draft, enabling the players to secure solid team compositions with champions they excel at.
WBG’s mid laner, Li "Xiaohu" Yuanhao, shined with his Aurora and Orianna picks, contributing heavily to the team’s success in team fights. Additionally, top laner Chen "Breathe" Chen managed to build advantages and steadily snowballed against his lane opponent, becoming a major threat in the side lanes and late-game team fights.
Despite WBG having never won against BLG in the LPL this year, its strong quarterfinal performance shows it is not as vulnerable as expected. While the odds still favor BLG, high-risk players might consider WBG with a +1.5 handicap at 2.650*. For a safer option, betting on Map Total Under 4.5 at 1.271* is also worth considering.
Bet: Weibo Gaming vs. Bilibili Gaming odds
T1 (2.240*) vs. Gen.G (1.662*)
T1 exceeded expectations with a dominant 3-0 victory over TOP Esports (TES) in its quarterfinals match. While many predicted a tight contest, T1 showed absolute control, even securing a flawless 15-0 kill score in Game 2. T1’s support player, Ryu "Keria" Min-seok, was a standout, earning MVP honors in two out of three games. His Bard and Pyke picks in Games 1 and 3 respectively, disrupted TES with early-game roams, while his Rakan play in Game 2 showcased brilliant teamfight execution.
Mid laner Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok broke Ahri’s losing streak at Worlds, while AD carry Lee "Gumayusi" Min-hyung didn't die once in the series, highlighting his ability to deal maximum damage without overextending. T1's resurgence at Worlds is a stark contrast to its LCK Summer split performance.
Gen.G, often referred to as the "T1 killer," has maintained an undefeated record against T1 since MSI 2023 and has dominated the LCK scene. However, its narrow 3-2 victory over LCS's FlyQuest (FLY) in the quarterfinals caught many by surprise. FLY pushed Gen.G to the brink, taking a 2-1 lead by Game 3, with Gen.G forced to rely on comfort picks like Kim "Canyon" Geon-bu's Nidalee, Kim "Kiin" Ki-in's K'Sante, and Jeong "Chovy" Ji-hoon's Smolder to secure their win.
FLY, considered the weaker team, impressed with unconventional picks like Seraphine mid and Urgot top, which threw Gen.G off balance. While this series highlighted some of Gen.G's vulnerabilities, the team has had time to adjust before facing T1, a team it historically performs well against.
Odds favor Gen.G in this highly anticipated LCK derby, but the contrast between T1’s dominant quarterfinal performance and Gen.G’s struggle creates an intriguing dynamic. If both teams maintain their LCK-level form, Gen.G would be the clear favorite. However, T1 often elevates its play on the Worlds stage. For this matchup, the Money Line on T1 at 2.240* appeals to believers in a T1 upset, while a handicap on T1 +1.5 at 1.558* offers a safer option. For those expecting a close, intense series, Total Map Over 4.5 at 2.660* is also worth considering.
Bet: T1 vs. Gen.G odds
*Odds subject to change
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