LEC playoff matchup preview: Death, taxes, and G2 Esports vs. MAD Lions

In this world, nothing is certain except death, taxes, and G2 Esports vs. MAD Lions in the LEC playoffs.

In the 2021 summer split, defending LEC champions MAD Lions are facing G2 in the first round of the playoffs. In doing so, they write another chapter to one of the most recent and exciting rivalries in the league.

At stakes: the winner qualifies for worlds, and the loser meets Fnatic, Team Vitality or Misfits Gaming for the last ticket towards the World Championship.

Looking forward to an absolute banger of a series against G2 and brother @G2GrabbZ today, it’s a pleasure as always

Chamaquito espero que estés bien con el meta del Pokémon Unite porque vas a tener que jubilarte del LoL después de la paliza que te vamos a dar en el draft

— James MacCormack (@MacCLol) August 14, 2021

Similarities

G2 and MAD are teams with high-risk, high reward playstyles, with unique and mechanically gifted players ready to carry each game.

Both teams are great at team fighting due to their players’ exceptional positioning. Draft-wise, they tend to run front–to–back compositions, and they tend to have roaming supports.

So, you can be assured that this game will be all over the place.

Always a pleasure going against MAD and @MacCLol, tune in for a definitive highlight of this splits playoffs.

Que bueno que tuvieron 5 semanas en cuarentena, asi ya estan preparados a no salir de la casa por vergüenza despues de lo que les vamos hacer hoy.

— Fabian ‘GrabbZ’ Lohmann (@G2GrabbZ) August 14, 2021

Key Players

Although each player in this matchup can change the outcome of the game, two players stand out as the most impactful ones for their respective teams.

For G2, Jankos is their key. His map control and ability to gain advantages for his teammates have a flaw: he falls behind in the 1v1 jungle matchup. The jungler usually plays around bot lane, providing safety for Rekkles to scale throughout the game.

As for MAD, that would be Humanoid. Alongside Kaiser, Elyoya played around Humanoid many times during the split. As they know that Uma Noid can carry games, they aim to entrust him with as many resources as possible. Additionally, the mid laner has a wide champion pool, around which MAD Lions can adapt their drafts.

time to ruin some KDA

— matyas (@Carzzylol) August 14, 2021

2021 Season Overview

G2 and MAD faced each other twice during the regular split, with G2 winning both games.

G2 slumped throughout weeks 3 and 4, losing four games in a row, but they overcame the issues and finished as the third seeded team in the LEC.

On the other hand, MAD Lions started slowly as they did not rest or prepare enough for the summer split due to their MSI run. Instead of practicing without rest, they chose to postpone practice and take it slowly to avoid burnout. 

MAD’s choice allows them to carry their spring split momentum. Back then, they beat G2 3-1 and qualified for the LEC finals.

During that match, then up-and-coming rookie Elyoya outperformed Jankos, who was struggling in the given meta. But this time is different: the meta has shifted, and the tables have turned. Jankos had a great summer split and is ready for his revenge in the jungle.

Long have we waited, G2 activated

— Marcin Jankowski (@G2Jankos) August 14, 2021

Overall assessment 

We can talk about the experience gap all day, but here is the truth: MAD are the defending champions, and G2 are hungry to prove themselves again. Both teams are evenly matched, and it would be tough to predict the correct outcome.

The series, which I anticipate going to five games, will come down to draft adaptability. Additionally, the team that picks momentum likely wins it.

We don’t know who will win this Saturday, but one thing is certain: it’s going to be a banger.