After the final matches of the LCK Summer 2021 group stage concluded, the standings were determined, and the Playoffs schedule was just announced by the tournament organizers.
With DWG KIA and Gen.G Esports occupying the top 1 and top 2 spots in the group stage, they will both advance directly to the Semifinals (Round 2), while the teams Nongshim RedForce, T1, Liiv SANDBOX, and Afreeca Freecs will compete in Round 1.
The Playoffs will be divided into 2 brackets, with the first match starting between Nongshim RedForce vs Afreeca Freecs, where the winner will face DWG KIA in Semifinal 1.
Meanwhile, in the other bracket, T1 will clash with Liiv SANDBOX, and the winner of this matchup will face Gen.G Esports or DWG KIA in Semifinal 2 (DK will choose their opponent).
Overall, apart from DK and GEN, who appear to be the two superior teams, AF is considered “a bit weak,” while NS, T1, and LSB are rated equally in terms of their chances of progressing further. NS is expected to be the surprise team this season, having held the top 1 position in the group stage for quite a long time.
For T1, they will face extremely challenging Bo5 matches. Starting with a confrontation against LSB – a team that has defeated Faker and his teammates twice in the group stage. In the rematch, T1 showed a slight edge in strategy and team fights but lost due to a moment of brilliance from former player Effort.
In fact, among the 4 teams participating in Round 1, T1 is not highly rated. Their odds of making it to the semifinals are not significantly better than NS or LSB. The recent loss to HLE has really exposed many weaknesses in T1’s gameplay, and at this critical stage of the season, the former LCK champions will need to make significant changes to hope for a positive result in the race for a Worlds spot.
If they can defeat LSB, T1 will face GEN or DK. Against GEN, this is a team they have defeated in the group stage. However, we still remember that in the spring split, T1 was swept 3-0 by GEN when the two teams met in the Playoffs, despite having just beaten this opponent in the previous group stage match. Therefore, considering both form and recent head-to-head results, GEN is still rated much higher than T1.
Meanwhile, although they have just ended a 6-match losing streak against DK, T1 is still considered significantly weaker than the defending champions, and if they happen to be “chosen” in the Semifinals, it will be a monumental challenge for Faker and his team.
The first match of the LCK Summer 2021 Playoffs will kick off on August 18.