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As part of the Mid-Season Invitational 2023 group stage breakdown, we made a betting tip on MAD Lions vs T1. In the first round of the Bracket Stage we are greeted with deja vu.
Another clash between Korea and Europe and another huge challenge for the representatives of the "Old World". The winner of the pairing takes on the winner of the Gen.G/G2 Esports match and we have a huge chance of seeing the derby in the next round.
Here's what to expect from the match, who will move up the table and who will be in the bottom half of the table.
Form T1
South Korea's T1 will be the favourite in this match. Bookmakers estimate the chance of Faker and company to win at odds in the region of 1.1.
In general, such a figure is the standard for such duels. The status and strength of the teams from South Korea speaks for them, and the level of their performance on the international stage confirms confidence in them.
T1 are the premier team of LCK in particular, and of the world in general. They remain so at the Mid-Season Invitational 2023, in spite of several embarrassing losses in recent seasons.
Last season, T1 were firmly on their way to a fourth Invitational Cup at Worlds 2022, but they were "robbed" by DRX. In addition, T1 lost to MSI 2022 and LCK Summer 2022 in the finals last season.
To summarise, T1 have lost 4 finals in a row and the last win came last April when titan LCK outplayed grandee Gen.G. This year, history is partially repeating itself.
T1 made it to the Mid-Season Invitational 2023 finishing second in their home league. At the LCK Spring 2023 T1 were well on their way to the title and had no problem closing Gen.G in the top flight, but then the grand final, Gen.G and another defeat.
- T1 line-up: zeus, Oner, Faker, Gumayusi, Keria.
Can't relate T1's failures to any roster issues. Right now T1 has one of the most combative squads in the history of the club, and let's face it, League of Legends altogether.
Most popular T1 champions
The most popular champion on the top line is Gnar (10 games, 90% win percentage). Jayce appeared 8 times and the win rate was 87%. Kenen played 4 times and won all games, KSante 4 times and 3 wins, Renekton 4 times and 2 wins.
In the Forest, Vi (11 games, 72% wins), Sejuani (10 games, 80% wins), Wukong (7 games, 85% wins), Le Sin (6 games, 83% wins) were picks.
On the centre line were Azir (13 games, 69% wins), Gragas (6 games, 100% wins), Kassadin (5 games, 100% wins), Viktor (4 games, 75% wins).
The most popular ADC is Lucian (12 games, 83% wins). Next are Varus (8 games, 87% wins), Caitlyn (5 games, 100% wins), Zeri (4 games, 75% wins).
Nami (13 games, 84% win rate). Ashe and Lux have 4 games and 4 wins each.
Mad Lions form.
Opposing T1 in their first match at the Mid-Season Invitational 2023 will be the Mad Lions. "The Lions will appear as the outsider by a huge margin and as if it could be otherwise.
Unintentionally the analogy with the first Bracket Stage match at MSI 2023, where G2 Esports and Gen.G will play. A similar clash between Western Europe and South Korea, where the former has a paltry chance of success, but still has it.
The MAD Lions are a very upbeat team, well established over several seasons. It took several years and victories on the home stage before they reached this level: two Western European crowns at the LEC Spring and Summer in 2021, and another one already in 2023.
The Mid-Season Invitational 2023 was the second time they got there, but it was even better. After finishing in Top-2 at LEC Winter 2023, MAD Lions didn't get a ticket to London, but a victory (very colourful, as it was hanging by a thread throughout all the stages) at LEC Spring 2023 sent them straight into the Group Stage, allowing them to skip the Play-In stage.
- MAD Lions line-up: Chasy, Elyoya, Nisqy, Carzzy, Hylissang .
There are two players on the MAD Lions roster who have already played in the Mid-Season Invitational 2023 and have been very successful. Elyoya and Carzzy helped MAD Lions finish in the top-4 at the Mid-Season Invitational 2023, and can still do so now.
The most popular MAD Lions champions
Fiora (2 matches, 100% wins) and KSante (2 matches, 50% wins) have been the most popular MAD Lions champions. Also took Renekton (1 game, 100% wins) and Gnar (1 game and that defeat).
Sejuani (3 games, 66% win rate) is popular in the Forest. Next comes Wukong with 2 appearances and 50% wins, and there was also Maokai, who won his only match.
On the centre line, Viktor (1-1) and Akali (1-1) have 2 matches each. Azir and Sylas won their matches.
Of the shooters, Varus appeared most often (3 matches, 66% win rate). Lucian was picked 2 times (1-1) and Sivir was picked once more (1-0).
Thresh (1-1), Lulu (1-1) were the most frequent picks. Nami and Ashe, who appeared once each, won their matches.
The teams hadn't previously played each other and this was their debut.
The outcome of the match
The MAD Lions showed real character at LEC Spring 2023, which allowed them to qualify for the group stage. Save their spirit, they can compete with T1 on a card or two, but no more than that.
While the Lions are no match for T1, the latter will be looking to face Gen.G again and finally answer the offenders for their former failures in the domestic league.
Bottom line: a 3-0 win for T1.
