TL;DR
- Jungle matchup between Santorin and Closer will determine series outcome
- 100 Thieves carries momentum from dominant Cloud9 sweep into semifinals
- Team Liquid must address early game weaknesses exposed against Evil Geniuses
- Betting value favors 100 Thieves at 2.20 odds despite underdog status
- Series expected to go full five games with high strategic complexity
The 2022 LCS Spring Split reaches its critical phase as Team Liquid and 100 Thieves clash to determine the first championship finalist. This best-of-five encounter promises to deliver the most competitive playoff series yet, featuring two powerhouse organizations with contrasting recent trajectories.
Both squads secured upper bracket advancement through opening round victories, though their paths diverged significantly. Team Liquid entered postseason play as the top overall seed but encountered unexpected resistance from Evil Geniuses, requiring all five games to advance. Meanwhile, 100 Thieves delivered a statement performance with a commanding 3-0 sweep over Cloud9 that showcased their championship pedigree.
The contrasting performances create fascinating pre-series dynamics where Liquid no longer commands the overwhelming favorite status many anticipated. Given 100 Thieves’ recent dominant form, spectators should anticipate an intensely contested match with multiple potential outcomes.
This semifinal confrontation features elite talent across every position, potentially representing the highest skill level displayed in the LCS this entire split. Team Liquid possesses exceptional individual capabilities with flexible lane priority options. Veteran jungler Lucas “Santorin” Larsen faces critical decision-making regarding resource allocation—whether to leverage his formidable bot lane duo or create advantages for top laner Gabriël “Bwipo” Rau, who struggled to find his rhythm against Evil Geniuses last weekend.
For 100 Thieves, maintaining their explosive momentum from the Cloud9 victory becomes paramount. Their previous match showcased jungler Can “Closer” Celik’s exceptional map awareness and counter-play execution, systematically dismantling C9’s strategic initiatives. This dominant performance establishes Closer as the primary weapon against Liquid’s well-rounded roster composition.
Jungle control emerges as the decisive battleground due to Closer’s recent exceptional form. However, Santorin represents one of the few junglers capable of neutralizing his impact, provided Liquid addresses the tactical vulnerabilities exposed during their EG series. Failure to correct these issues could shift momentum decisively toward 100 Thieves, despite their underdog designation.
Liquid must accelerate their early game tempo significantly, as passive approaches against 100 Thieves’ aggressive style won’t suffice through macro play and teamfighting alone. The organization also requires improved discipline when securing advantages, having previously suffered consequences for over-aggression and potential opponent underestimation.
Ultimately, this series projects as an explosive confrontation where jungle pathing and priority management will dictate the outcome. Understanding jungle role fundamentals becomes crucial for appreciating this high-level strategic duel.
All factors indicate an epic five-game series where jungle influence and strategic adaptation will determine which organization advances to the Spring Split finals.
100 Thieves roster:
- Top – Kim “Ssumday” Chan-ho: Veteran presence with exceptional teamfighting
- Jungle – Can “Closer” Celik: Momentum-driven playmaker with aggressive style
- Mid – Felix “Abbedagge” Brain: Consistent performer with clutch potential
- Bot – Ian “FBI” Huang: Reliable damage source with positioning intelligence
- Support – Choi “huhi” Jae-hyun: Versatile playmaker with shotcalling capabilities
Team Liquid roster:
- Top – Gabriël “Bwipo” Rau: Flexible innovator requiring jungle attention
- Jungle – Lucas “Santorin” Larsen: Strategic controller with veteran experience
- Mid – Søren “Bjergsen” Bjerg: Legendary mid laner with strategic depth
- Bot – Steven “Hans Sama” Liv: Mechanical prodigy with carry potential
- Support – Jo “CoreJJ” Yong-in: World champion with elite mechanical skills
Despite 100 Thieves’ impressive recent displays, sportsbooks maintain Liquid as the series favorite. While their advantage has diminished from earlier expectations, the defending LCS Lock In champions still command favorable odds. This creates attractive value opportunities for supporters believing 100T can sustain their momentum and produce an upset victory. As reigning LCS champions, 100 Thieves demonstrates significant improvement throughout recent weeks, justifying our selection of them to deliver a surprising result in what promises to be a five-game thriller.
Selecting Liquid as the victor provides odds of 1.60, while we advocate for 100 Thieves at 2.20 odds representing superior risk-reward balance. For those seeking comprehensive strategic analysis frameworks, our comprehensive guide offers deeper competitive insights.
The opening LCS finals participant will be determined Saturday, April 16, when Team Liquid and 100 Thieves commence their high-stakes battle. Understanding optimal loadout selection principles can enhance understanding of team composition decisions throughout this matchup.
Action Checklist
- Analyze jungle pathing patterns from both teams’ previous series
- Monitor early game tempo and objective control in first two games
- Evaluate team adaptation between games for strategic adjustments
- Assess betting value using risk-reward calculations before placing wagers
- Review post-series analysis to validate strategic predictions
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » 100 Thieves vs. Team Liquid: 2022 LCS Spring playoff betting Strategic jungle matchup analysis and betting insights for the 2022 LCS Spring Split semifinal showdown