We are getting ready for the start of Worlds 2022 Play-In, which can become the largest esports event of the year. A responsible approach on the part of the organizers, the best League of Legends possible and a memorable production - this is what we are waiting for Worlds 2022 for.
If we take it pointwise, then the expectations are fueled by matches of various calibers. So, DRX and Saigon Buffalo could be like that, but most likely it won't be.
There is a big difference between the teams. You can believe in outsiders, but it’s definitely not worth flying into an embrasure in this matter.
We figure out who will be the winner of the confrontation and earn important points to advance to the group stage.
Form DRX
In the status of a favorite, DRX will suit the game. The chance of the South Korean club to win is estimated by the bookmakers with a coefficient of around 1.2.
The figure indicates that the counterpart of the Koreans from Saigon Buffalo has very little chance of winning. It is not surprising.
In principle, you can refer to the regional affiliation of DRX and in the case of League of Legends, this may be enough. However, we will leave such obvious fatalism for later, but for now let's analyze the path of DRX to Worlds 2022.
He's been pretty tough this year. At LCK Spring 2022, the team entered the TOP-5, losing before the semi-final stage against Freecs with a score of 2-3.
The summer split turned out to be even worse than the spring one – DRX were eliminated sixth, losing to SANDBOX Gaming, but after passing to the LCK Regional Finals 2022 they managed to cling to the TOP-2, taking revenge on the same SANDBOX.
DRX is far from the most formidable representative of South Korea. You can and should fight them.
DRX line-up
- Kingen
- Pyosik
- Juhan
- Zeka
- Taeyoon
- Deft
- BeryL
For a club from South Korea, keeping 7 players in the squad is an ordinary thing. Kingen, Pyosik, Zeka, Deft and BeryL will most likely play Worlds.
Heroes DRX
With the roster out of the way, we can now move on to discussing the characters that DRX often picks. Looking ahead, we can say that there is nothing special about their picks.
Gnar is sent to the top lane more often than others. He was selected in 13 games, but his 38% win rate makes you wonder. Things are better for Ornn, who out of 8 games won 62% of the time.
In the forest, Viego can be found more often than others. The fallen king was picked 9 times and won 5 matches.
Mid lane behind Ahri with 13 spawns and a 46% negative win rate. Azir didn't go far, appearing 7 times and winning 3 games.
In the ADK bot, Kalista looks the most dangerous. The character was selected 7 times and won 5 matches.
Support – Rakan with 6 spawns and 66% win rate.
Saigon Buffalo shape
Opposing DRX will be Saigon Buffalo. On the Vietnamese club they give 4.2.
A gap of 3 points in the values of the coefficient suggests an obvious gap in strength. Again, the regional location of the teams comes into play.
The VCS is an emerging league and the LCK is a title franchise, a role model. However, we will not bury on the shore of Saigon Buffalo.
This season Saigon Buffalo performed well. Having taken second place twice in the home league, the club managed to prove itself at the Mid-Season Invitational 2022, where they got into the TOP-6.
TOP-6 on MSI is the result. And it is worth considering.
Saigon Buffalo line-up
- hasmed
- Bean J
- Froggy
- P
- Shogun
- Taki
As we can see, the practice of having a “large” number of performers in the line-up is popular not only in Korea. Vietnam is not far behind, but only 5 will play, and most likely P will not be the lot.
Heroes Saigon Buffalo
Saigon Buffalo has a big payback. Gwen is most often sent to the top lane (15 matches, 66% of wins).
The jungler is the most meta character in this position in the patch. Wukong has been selected 10 times and has won 7 matches.
Taliyah appeared on the center line. The character appeared 7 times and brought victory in 4 matches.
On the bot, either Aphelios or Sivir. When choosing from two, the best option is Sivir (7 matches, 100% wins). Aphelios also has 7 games but a 57% win rate.
On Tahm Kench or Nautilus supports. Both appeared 6 times, but the first has 33% of wins, and the second has 66%.
History of personal confrontations
Previously, the teams did not play each other. This match will be the debut face-to-face confrontation between the teams.
Outcome
The outcome of the match will be determined on the bottom line. If Saigon Buffalo manages to somehow close the Deft + BeryL combination, there will be chances of success. However, how to do this is not yet clear.
I believe in the viability of the Vietnamese, but I cannot believe how they win, though not the most successful, but the representative of the LCK.
Outcome: DRX victory.
