Day 1 already showed how unforgiving Bo1’s are. Some of the teams walked away with a win looking pretty much settled, others left with many obvious issues that needs fixing. Now we continue to day 2 where 0-1 teams will try not to spiral, and 1-0 needing to prove yesterday wasn’t a fluke.

Team Heretics vs Shifters

Both teams come in after a defeat, and both of them needs much cleaner game than yesterday. Heretics failed in the opener against NAVI, looking like a team still learning how to transfer the laning phase into map control.

Shifters also lost, but their L hurt more – GIANTX survived a “naked Nexus” scenario and still closed it out in one push with ISMA delivering the final blow to the Nexus. Despite that, they look like a team with clearer idea of how they approach the game.

Prediction: Shifters (slight).

Los Ratones vs Karmine Corp Blue

This one’s the guest teams’ derby, and it’s also a test to see who actually belongs here more. Both are 0-1 – Los Ratones lost the opener to Fnatic, while KCB got man-handled by the main KC roster.

Roster-wise, it’s a clear contrast. Los Ratones come in with a well-known core, with couple of them used to this level of competition, while KCB are still looking to adjust to the pace LEC brings.

Los Ratones can absolutely win if they drag KCB into their signature weird laning phase and awkward fights. But if the game becomes standard, KCB’s best shot is taking clean objectives instead of brawling. But I doubt Los Ratones will let that happen.

Prediction: Los Ratones.

Team Vitality vs Natus Vincere

This one’s the only matchup where both teams show up 1-0, but they got it in very different ways. Vitality looked pretty comfortable in their game against SK, keeping control throughout the whole game. NAVI’s win had more edge to it, leaning more to individual plays to carry momentum forward – it worked, but there were moments where it felt like they’re one mistake away from slipping.

NAVI’s willingness to play through early pressure and look to snowball advantages quickly is a dangerous style in a Bo1, but it also has less margin for error if the early stuff don’t land as they want it to.

In contrast, Vitality don’t need to force early fights, they’re happy letting the game come to them and win through cleaner rotations and teamfights.

Prediction: Team Vitality.

SK Gaming vs Fnatic

Unpredictability vs structure – that’s what I’d label this game. SK wants to break the game open early – skirmishes around mid and aggressive side lane plays, and momentum built through fighting. With Wunder, LIDER, and Mikyx on the same team, they’ll clearly aim to force action an snowball before the map opens up.

Fnatic looked like the far more measured team. They like to play slower lanes, and choose their fights carefully, with Razork taking point on map control from the jungle, and Upset as the late game insurance. They’re not looking to rush things, but to wait for mistakes and punish through them.

Prediction: Fnatic.

G2 Esports vs GIANTX

Although G2 is the favorite on paper, GIANTX don’t really need to reinvent themselves to win a game like this. They keep the lanes stable, trade objectives when needed, and they seem to trust their coordination to hold over time.

G2 are a lot more flexible. They’re fine giving up the early pressure to their opponent if it sets up better positions later in the game. But once the map opens, Caps tends to become the reference point for how the game is played. G2 are looking their best when rotations and micro-decisions matter.

GIANTX will try to keep the game closed off and limit the mid-game openings, which would help them stay competitive. But if things loosen up, G2 has the ability to find and abuse small advantages – which usually decides it.

Prediction: G2 wins.

Movistar KOI vs Karmine Corp

KOI will try and make this game uncomfortable from the start. Their best showings are when Elyoya gets to dictate the early movement and create early skirmishes before lanes fully settle (like he did in their win against G2 yesterday). If KOI are first to objectives and the break out fights early, they tend to drag their opponents into messy midgame where they thrive.

Karmine Corp, in contrast, are much happier playing it straight. With Yike controlling jungle and strong lanes, they’re most likely to absorb the early pressure and let the game slow down. Once the game get to the point of more organized teamfights happening, KC look far more comfortable choosing when and where to commit, and where to retreat.

This one looks like the most even game of today’s batch, but I’ll give the nod to KOI to ride the hype train from yesterday’s win against G2.

Prediction: Movistar KOI (slight).