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League of Legends MSI 2024 Bracket Stage: First Round Predictions
Tomorrow, the League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) 2024 kicks off once again, running until the 19th of May. 4 teams have emerged from the Play-Ins stage: Fnatic, PSG Talon, Top Esports, and T1. Meeting them in the Bracket Stage are four grand challengers: Team Liquid, G2 Esports, Bilibili Gaming, and Gen.G.
As the teams prepare mentally for the arduous challenge ahead of them to reach the summit of MSI, nothing becomes more important than their first engagement. In this double-elimination bracket, losing isn’t the end, but a great start will afford all the more opportunity.
MSI 2024 Bracket Stage: Predictions
Team Liquid vs Top Esports [7th May | 11am CET]
Top Esports (TES) come into the Bracket Stage after a shaky Play-Ins performance. Despite winning both their matches and coming into the Bracket Stage undefeated, the level they showed in those two series did not match up to the caliber of opponents they benefited from facing.
TES mid laner Crème has been struggling in his debut international tournament thus far. However, TES is most well-known for their incredible mid to late-game, having the option of domination through mechanically-superior laners.
Team Liquid (TL) meanwhile, does not have that same luxury. While the team has solid fundamentals, they lack the star power of individuals to truly take over games. Instead, they will have to rely on teamwork and a cohesive early game plan in order to potentially upset TES.
All-in-all, TES offers much of what Liquid does, but to a far higher degree, with a much higher ceiling to compare. TES is likely to sweep the series, but we expect Liquid to take at least a map. [Top Esports 3-1]
Gen.G vs Fnatic [8th May | 11am CET]
Gen.G is the ultimate mid to late-game team, truly excelling through decimation of opponents in this period of the game. Their unrivalled macro coupled with the star power to blast through when all else fails, truly makes Gen.G the super-team. And at the helm – Chovy. Undisputably the best and most accomplished player in the LCK, and one of the best in the world (if he doesn’t choke).
Fnatic, meanwhile, have grasped powerful early game tactics. Their solid fundamentals have led the roster to find plenty of strong starts. Where they tend to falter is the mid-game, where the team appears to struggle to hold on to their leads.
All in all, we expect Gen.G to be able close out Fnatic with little difficulty. Fnatic could find chances in Gen.G’s early game but it is unlikely Gen.G will allow them to keep it. [Gen.G 3-0]
Bilibili Gaming vs PSG Talon [9th May | 11am CET]
Bilibili Gaming (BLG) come into MSI 2024 as one of the strongest-performing roster. After dominating in the LPL, the reforged roster from last year brought an old rival, Knight, into their midlane, transforming the roster into one of the most successfully aggressive rosters in the world.
Their early game macro is some of the best in the world and it should be on full display against a less-battle tested team such as PSG. PSG’s strength really only comes to the fore in the mid-game once their carries have a chance to get some items and they can start grouping for teamfights. However, you would be sorely mistaken if you imagine BLG will let PSG get to that stage while still remaining on even footing. [BLG 3-0]
G2 Esports vs T1 [10th May | 11am CET]
The ultimate international clash of East meets West in terms of fandom. G2 is coming into MSI 2024 once again as the hope of Europe. Meanwhile, T1 look to prove themselves after a relatively quiet performance in the latter half of the Spring Split and Playoffs amidst internal issues.
T1’s true prowess comes in the form of their late game teamfighting. Their sense in those fights is likely second to none, however, it is their early game where at times it can feel somewhat lackluster in terms of robustness. While they don’t lack aggression, misplays have been occurring, especially in the top lane, where Zeus is currently experiencing somewhat of a slump from his Worlds-winning form.
However, where G2 matches them is in the draft flexibility, where both teams have shown a willingness to diverge from the meta and traditional. With the latest patch in affecting some of G2’s pocket picks, however, we shall have to see what they can bring out instead.
We expect T1 to emerge the winner, however, contention is expected from Europe’s hope. [T1 3-1]
Credit: Lee Aiksoon/Riot Games
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