Expert analysis of Worlds 2021 playoffs: Upset picks, must-watch players, and championship predictions from top League of Legends writers
Playoff Upset Potential: Which Teams Could Shock the World
The Worlds 2021 knockout stage brings high-stakes best-of-five series where strategic depth and roster flexibility become critical advantages.
With quarterfinal matchups set, several teams possess the unique characteristics needed to overcome their underdog status and create tournament-defining upsets.
Our panel of League of Legends experts Andrew Amos, Isaac McIntyre, and Benjamin Mock analyze which squads have the tools to defy expectations when the playoffs commence on October 22.
Amos: Gen.G represents the most intriguing dark horse despite their chaotic Group D performance. Many analysts discounted their chances after inconsistent group stage results, but Ruler has demonstrated elite form throughout this tournament. The strategic advantage of having a reliable sixth man in Burdol provides crucial flexibility in best-of-five scenarios—a luxury only T1 can match with their Teddy option.
McIntyre: While MAD Lions face what appears to be an insurmountable challenge against Damwon Gaming, their European championship pedigree shouldn’t be overlooked. The all-Chinese quarterfinal between Edward Gaming and RNG presents the most compelling upset opportunity. RNG’s MSI championship experience and proven ability to perform under pressure could extend EDG’s notorious quarterfinal curse while advancing LPL’s quest for international validation.
Mock: MAD Lions haven’t showcased their peak form yet, which makes them dangerous. European teams historically elevate their performance in elimination series, and MAD’s identity has always centered around best-of-five resilience. Though facing DWG KIA seems daunting, this exact scenario—overcoming overwhelming odds—defines what makes Worlds tournaments memorable.
Strategic Analysis: Underdog teams with BO5 experience often outperform expectations due to better adaptation between games
Must-Watch Players: The Stars Defining Worlds 2021
The individual brilliance of elite players often determines playoff outcomes, with several superstars positioned to cement their legacies.
From established legends chasing historic achievements to rising stars building their cases for greatness, these players command attention throughout the knockout stage.
Amos: While Faker represents the obvious narrative choice for his pursuit of a fourth Summoner’s Cup, ShowMaker presents the more compelling case for individual excellence. Securing back-to-back World Championships would fundamentally alter the GOAT conversation in League of Legends. His 2021 performance has reached new heights, consistently serving as DWG KIA’s stabilizing force when other lanes experience volatility.
Understanding Mid Lane Matchups: How Pros Dominate Their Roles
Championship Psychology: What Separates Winners From Contenders
Team Composition Analysis: Building Around Star Players
McIntyre: Faker’s return to Worlds prominence captivates the entire League community. His absence from previous tournaments highlighted how much his presence elevates the competition. Entering quarterfinals as a top seed provides ideal conditions for another deep run—Faker has never finished below top-four in international competitions. The prospect of witnessing his fourth championship victory represents the tournament’s most compelling storyline.
Mock: After two years without playoff Faker, his return brings unmatched excitement. Skeptics might question his group stage performances, but that merely reflects strategic conservation rather than diminished skills. Facing elite midlaners like Chovy and potentially ShowMaker creates the perfect stage for Faker to demonstrate why he remains League’s most celebrated player.
Player Development Insight: Elite players often pace themselves through groups before unleashing their full capabilities in elimination matches
Championship Contenders: Can DWG KIA Repeat or Will We Crown a New Champion?
The championship picture has crystallized around two Korean powerhouses, with the bottom bracket hosting the tournament’s true title contenders.
DWG KIA’s dominant form combined with T1’s championship pedigree creates a compelling narrative for Korean dominance, while LPL teams seek to overcome their group stage struggles.
Amos: DWG KIA’s flawless 6-0 group stage—the first perfect run since Longzhu Gaming in 2017—demonstrates their championship readiness. Their Summer split experimentation has yielded optimized strategies just in time for playoffs. No opponent challenged them significantly in best-of-one format, and their best-of-five record over the past year remains nearly impeccable aside from the MSI loss to RNG. With Khan playing his final tournament, expect DWG KIA to send him out with the championship he deserves.
McIntyre: Pre-tournament expectations heavily favored Chinese teams, but the LPL’s collective group stage underperformance has reshaped the championship landscape. Edward Gaming and RNG now sit clearly below the Korean elite of Damwon and T1. The 2021 champion will likely emerge from the bottom bracket, representing either SKT’s legacy continuing through Faker or Damwon establishing their own dynasty with consecutive titles across multiple regions.
Mock: The tournament winner will unquestionably come from the bracket’s lower half. Specifically, the semifinal clash between DWG and T1—assuming both advance—will determine the eventual champion. The victor of that Korean showdown should comfortably handle whichever Chinese team survives the upper bracket. The talent disparity between Korean and Chinese teams appears significant enough that neither EDG nor RNG can realistically challenge the Korean finalist.
Bracket Strategy: The bottom-heavy bracket creates a clear championship path for Korea while testing Chinese teams’ resilience
Cloud9’s Quarterfinal Chances: NA’s Last Hope or Mirage?
Cloud9 carries North America’s hopes into their quarterfinal against Gen.G, but realistic assessment suggests overwhelming challenges ahead.
The NA representatives face questions about whether their group stage advancement resulted from genuine quality or opponents’ failures, with experts divided on their knockout stage prospects.
Amos: As a dedicated follower of Korean League, I anticipate Gen.G delivering a comprehensive 3-0 victory against Cloud9. While the narrative of North American success would provide wonderful storytelling, Cloud9’s inconsistent group stage performances raise legitimate concerns. The reliance on Perkz to single-handedly carry the team appears unsustainable against playoff-caliber opposition.
McIntyre: Cloud9 absolutely possesses the capability to advance, though probability heavily favors their opponents. Discounting Perkz’s legendary clutch factor in high-pressure matches would be unwise. The quarterfinal draw provides North America’s ideal path—facing what many consider Korea’s weakest remaining team followed by potentially rattled Chinese opposition. Overcoming DWG or T1 in finals seems nearly impossible, but League history contains numerous improbable outcomes.
Mock: Realistic assessment suggests Cloud9’s advancement resulted more from FPX’s collapse than their own strength. The last 2-4 team to escape groups was 2017 Fnatic, who immediately lost in quarterfinals. While Cloud9 might defeat Gen.G, expecting victories against RNG or EDG seems optimistic. The ultimate challenge—beating DWG KIA or T1 in finals—appears completely beyond their capabilities based on current evidence.
Team Assessment Framework: Evaluating teams requires analyzing both their achievements and the context surrounding those results
Betting Insights and Strategic Analysis
Professional betting odds and strategic analysis provide additional perspectives on the playoff matchups and potential outcomes.
Understanding the market movements and probability assessments can enhance appreciation of the strategic dynamics at play throughout the knockout stage.
Market Assessment: MAD Lions present intriguing value at 5.409 against DWG KIA given their BO5 capabilities
Favorite Status: T1’s 1.271 price against HLE reflects their dominant group stage and Faker’s playoff pedigree
Championship Odds: DWG KIA’s 1.129 favoritism against MAD Lions underscores their perceived tournament dominance
Underdog Opportunity: Cloud9’s 3.099 odds against Gen.G represent the most compelling underdog story if Perkz delivers
Strategic Betting Considerations: When evaluating playoff matches, consider teams’ best-of-five experience, draft flexibility, and historical performance in elimination scenarios. Underdogs with strong coaching staffs and adaptive playstyles often outperform their odds in extended series.
Value Identification: Look for discrepancies between public perception and actual team capabilities. Squads that struggled in groups but possess strong best-of-five track records frequently offer the best betting value in knockout stages.
Odds correct at the time of writing.
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