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We continue to break down the action at LPL 2025 Split 2 with betting tips for the playoff stage. Slowly but surely, we’re approaching the tournament’s climax, where we’ll find out the names of the participants for the Mid-Season Invitational 2025 and the Esports World Cup 2025.
We’re focusing on the lower bracket of the playoffs, where FunPlus Phoenix and Invictus Gaming will fight for survival.
Let’s analyze which of the two teams—FPX or IG—will come out on top and continue their journey through the LPL 2025 Split 2 playoffs.
Let’s get into it.
How the bookies see it: IG leads
Before diving into the main betting tips for the Invictus Gaming vs. FunPlus Phoenix match, let’s take a look at bookmaker odds and identify the favorite. In this case, it’s Invictus Gaming.
According to average odds from top esports bookmakers, Invictus Gaming is the clear favorite. The odds for them to win their LPL 2025 Split 2 Knockout Stage match are around 1.32. This is easy to agree with—and now let’s look at why bookies are backing IG.
IG form: What to expect from Invictus Gaming
As noted above, Invictus Gaming are the favorites in this match, which makes sense given their background. Here’s a quick refresher:
IG were once a threat not only domestically but internationally. In 2018, the team became the first Chinese world champion—but since then, they’ve significantly fallen off.
Their last notable result was a Top 3 finish at the LPL Regional Finals in 2020. Most recently, they finished 11th at the LPL Spring 2023, missing playoffs by just two series wins.
- Invictus Gaming roster: TheShy, JieJie, Rookie, GALA, Meiko.
From the early weeks of the season, it was clear that expectations for IG shouldn’t be high. As the season nears its end, it’s obvious that IG are one of the weakest teams and are likely to undergo roster changes.
LPL Summer 2023 was typical for IG—they finished 12th and missed playoffs. They later participated in local events like the Esports Shanghai Masters 2023 (Top 3 finish) and NEST 2023 (a disaster, finishing Top 16).
Before LPL Spring 2024, IG played in NEST 2023 and the Demacia Cup 2023. At both tournaments, their results were underwhelming: a 0–3 group stage exit at NEST and a 3–1 group record at Demacia Cup—not enough to make playoffs.
In LPL Spring 2024, they finished Top 10 after making playoffs but lost 3–2 to Weibo, ending in 10th place. LPL Summer 2025 was even worse—they didn’t make it past the group stage and ended up 13th.
In the 2025 season, IG started in Group D of LPL Spring 2025, finishing 1st in their group and 5th in the Rumble Stage. In the playoffs, they lost their opening match.
Most picked champions by Invictus Gaming:
- Top lane: Fiora (5 games, 60% win rate), Jax (3 games, 100%), Camille (2 games, 100%), Irelia (2 games, 100%).
- Jungle: Maokai (7 games, 85%), Sejuani (4 games, 75%), Viego (2 games, 100%).
- Mid lane: Azir (5 games, 80%), Sylas (3 games, 66%), Kassadin (2 games, 100%), Ryze (2 games, 50%).
- Bot lane (ADC): Varus (4 games, 50%), Lucian (4 games, 100%).
- Support: Nami (3 games, 100%), Ashe (3 games, 0%), Varus (2 games, 100%), Miss Fortune (2 games, 100%).
FPX form: What to expect from FunPlus Phoenix
FPX enter the IG–FPX match as underdogs. This is understandable given their weak performance during the LPL 2025 group stage. However, for a full picture of our betting tips, let’s look at FPX’s recent history on both domestic and international stages.
Since their Worlds 2019 triumph, FPX haven’t returned to the top. They had a shot at Worlds 2021, but after that—disappointment.
Their last notable result was a Top 15 finish at LPL Spring 2023, where they had a poor 4–12 group stage record. Things haven’t improved much since then.
FPX roster: sheer, Shad0w, Care, Assum, Jwei.
No major roster changes occurred at the start of the tournament, though there were management shifts that didn’t impact performance.
Nothing has helped FPX improve since Spring. They finished 14th in LPL Summer with a 4–10 record. They didn’t reach the playoffs, but did climb to 11th in their group—not a total disaster.
Before Demacia Cup 2023, FPX participated in NEST 2023, where they traditionally perform well. This time, they finished 4th. At Demacia Cup 2023, they ended with a 2–2 group stage record, missing playoffs and finishing 16th overall.
LPL Spring 2024 went much better—FPX went 11–5 in the regular season and finished 4th overall.
In LPL Summer 2024, FPX placed 2nd in Group A with a 3–3 record, then finished 7th in the Rumble Stage. They ended Ascend Group with a 3–5 record, which was enough to reach playoffs. However, they couldn't go far and ended up 8th—missing out on international qualification.
The 2025 season started terribly for FPX, finishing 12th in LPL Split 1. Things improved in Split 2—they reached playoffs after a tough group stage. In their first playoff match, they lost 1–3 to Top Esports.
Most picked champions by FunPlus Phoenix:
- Top lane: K'Sante (6 games, 33%), Gwen (5 games, 0%), Jax (2 games, 100%).
- Jungle: Vi (3 games, 0%), Maokai (2 games, 100%), Lee Sin (1 game, 0%), Wukong (1 game, 0%).
- Mid lane: Kassadin (3 games, 100%), Akali (2 games, 0%), Syndra (2 games, 50%).
- Bot lane (ADC): Zeri (5 games, 40%), Sivir (3 games, 33%), Lucian (2 games, 50%).
- Support: Yuumi (8 games, 37% win rate—usually paired with Zeri and Sivir).
Recent head-to-head: Invictus Gaming edging it
Another reason why IG is favored—not just by the bookies but statistically—is their recent head-to-head record. Invictus Gaming has won 4 of their last 5 meetings with FPX, including two series during the LPL 2025 Split 2 Rumble Stage.
Players to watch: TheShy and Sheer
The key matchup in IG vs. FPX will be in the top lane. Legendary top laner TheShy will likely school the young Sheer, who stands little chance. TheShy was even named to the All-Pro Team for LPL 2025 Split 2.
Predicted result: FunPlus Phoenix vs. Invictus Gaming – LPL 2025 Split 2
For this match, my bet is on Invictus Gaming. TheShy and his squad should have no trouble beating FPX and moving forward, keeping their hopes for international qualification alive.
Betting prediction: IG win.
