TL;DR
- Team Liquid enters as favorites after dominant playoff wins against Cloud9 and TSM
- Santorin’s return transformed Liquid into a cohesive, dangerous unit
- 100 Thieves must overcome consistency issues and find reliable carry performances
- Jungle matchup between Santorin and Closer will likely decide the series outcome
- Expect a competitive 4-5 game series with potential for an upset
The 2021 LCS Championship reaches its critical semifinal stage as Team Liquid and 100 Thieves battle for the first finals berth in an electrifying best-of-five confrontation. This North American League of Legends classic promises high-stakes action between two organizations with championship aspirations.
Team Liquid has demonstrated remarkable playoff form, securing convincing victories in two consecutive series against Cloud9 and TSM. These crucial wins mark a dramatic transformation from their regular season performance, establishing Liquid as a legitimate championship threat. Their playoff run showcases improved coordination and individual excellence across all positions.
Meanwhile, 100 Thieves earned direct qualification to the upper bracket’s second round based on their strong split performance. The team has competed in just one playoff match to date – a tense five-game victory over Evil Geniuses that tested their resilience and strategic depth.
The momentum factor becomes paramount in this matchup. Liquid carries significant psychological advantage after dismantling two top-tier opponents, while 100 Thieves must build on their hard-fought win against EG. The team that best harnesses recent successes will gain critical early advantage.
Santorin’s return from health-related absence has fundamentally altered Liquid’s competitive identity. His presence restored team cohesion and strategic execution, transforming individual talent into a unified force. The bot lane partnership has maintained exceptional consistency, while mid laner Jensen delivered standout performances when facing both Cloud9 and TSM.
Team Liquid’s resurgence presents significant challenges for 100 Thieves, despite the latter entering playoffs as second seed. While 100 Thieves defeated a competent Evil Geniuses lineup, observable weaknesses in their gameplay emerged that opponents can exploit. The team frequently requires exceptional individual performances to secure victories, even when executing coordinated strategies effectively.
Jungler Can “Closer” Çelik serves as a reliable playmaker for 100 Thieves, possessing specific champion preferences where he excels dramatically. Securing these comfort picks could empower Closer to become the decisive factor against Liquid’s formidable lineup. Without such standout performances, identifying alternative carry threats becomes challenging for 100T.
The jungle confrontation between Santorin and Closer represents the series’ most critical matchup. Santorin’s methodical, controlled style contrasts with Closer’s aggressive, playmaking approach. This clash of styles will determine map control and early game tempo.
Strategic preparation differences create another layer of complexity. Liquid benefits from recent high-pressure match experience, while 100 Thieves possesses additional preparation time. Teams must balance champion pool depth with targeted bans against opponent specialties.
100 Thieves unquestionably possesses the capability to win this series, but victory becomes substantially more difficult if Liquid maintains their dominant form demonstrated against Cloud9 and TSM. Both organizations understand the stakes – a finals appearance brings them one step closer to LCS glory and Worlds qualification.
Team Liquid vs. 100 Thieves rosters
Team Liquid roster:
- Top – Barney “Alphari” Morris – Known for lane dominance and exceptional CS numbers
- Jungle – Lucas “Santorin” Larsen – Provides strategic stability and objective control
- Mid – Nicolaj “Jensen” Jensen – Veteran presence with clutch teamfight timing
- Bot – Edward “Tactical” Ra – Aggressive playmaker with high damage output
- Support – Jo “CoreJJ” Yong-in – World champion bringing experience and shotcalling
100 Thieves roster:
- Top – Kim “Ssumday” Chan-ho – Consistent performer with championship pedigree
- Jungle – Can “Closer” Çelik – Explosive playstyle with carry potential
- Mid – Felix “Abbedagge” Braun – European import with versatile champion pool
- Bot – Ian “FBI” Huang – Reliable damage dealer with positioning intelligence
- Support – Choi “huhi” Jae-hyun – Role-swapped veteran providing unique strategic perspective
Predicting a close match between Team Liquid and 100 Thieves
Recent performances clearly establish Team Liquid as the betting favorite against 100 Thieves. This favored status provides psychological benefits for Liquid, a squad demonstrating impressive playoff form, but simultaneously increases pressure on players unaccustomed to such expectations throughout most of the regular split.
100 Thieves could leverage their underdog position to orchestrate an upset victory. Before the teams compete on Summoner’s Rift, conventional wisdom suggests backing Liquid represents the safer choice, though the series likely remains competitive throughout.
Bookmakers slightly favor Liquid with winning odds at 1.74 compared to 1.96 for 100 Thieves. Given both teams’ current form and historical matchups, spectators should anticipate another extended five-game thriller.
The semifinal match determining the first LCS Championship finalist between Team Liquid and 100 Thieves occurs on Saturday, August 21.
Action Checklist
- Analyze both teams’ recent draft patterns and champion preferences
- Review jungle pathing preferences for Santorin and Closer
- Identify key player matchups that could determine series outcome
- Monitor pre-game interviews for psychological insights and team morale
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Team Liquid vs 100 Thieves: LCS Summer playoff betting analysis Expert analysis of the 2021 LCS Championship semifinal matchup between Team Liquid and 100 Thieves with strategic insights and predictions