The best Pick’Ems for League of Legends Worlds 2022 group stage

TL;DR

  • Group A presents major upset potential with EDG and T1 showing vulnerability
  • JD Gaming enters as Group B favorite but faces pressure from experienced international squads
  • Top Esports leads Group C but faces mental fortitude challenges from DRX and Rogue
  • Gen.G dominates Group D projections with RNG showing concerning inconsistencies
  • Strategic Pick’ems require balancing safe picks with calculated risk-taking

Pick'Em 2022

The Worlds 2022 Play-In stage concluded after six thrilling days of competition, finalizing the main event group compositions and setting the stage for the tournament’s most critical phase.

This year’s qualification process carried unprecedented stakes, with five major region teams competing for only four available slots following the LCL’s absence from the competition. This created an intensely competitive environment where every match carried elimination consequences.

DRX, Fnatic, Evil Geniuses, and RNG secured their positions in New York City. The Main Event Group Stage commences on October 7, 2022, offering League of Legends enthusiasts the chance to forecast outcomes through the official Pick’ems system. Understanding team form, regional strengths, and historical performance patterns becomes crucial for accurate predictions.

EDward Gaming stands at a historic crossroads, positioned to become the inaugural LPL organization to capture consecutive World Championship titles. However, this historic achievement requires navigating past T1, Cloud9, and Fnatic in what many analysts consider the tournament’s most unpredictable group.

Both EDG and T1 enter the competition displaying concerning form issues, appearing significantly weaker compared to other elite teams from their respective domestic leagues. This vulnerability creates unexpected opportunities for the group’s other contenders.

Conventional wisdom suggests EDG securing first place with T1 following closely behind. However, Cloud9 and Fnatic recognize the potential for advancement given the top seeds’ current struggles. North America’s sole representative carries the distinction of being the region’s only team to previously escape groups, while Fnatic benefits from additional competitive practice through the Play-In stage.

The opening day schedule features C9 versus Fnatic as the initial match, followed by EDG confronting T1. Group A emerges as the primary candidate for bracket-altering upsets, with every match carrying qualification implications. Strategic Pick’ems should account for potential surprises while maintaining reasonable expectations for traditional powerhouses.


Evil Geniuses achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the initial North American squad to defeat an LEC representative in a best-of-five series. Their stunning 3-0 victory demonstrated strategic prowess but raises questions about sustainability against Group B’s elite competition.

JD Gaming immediately stands out as the presumptive group favorite following their LPL championship victory. Historical patterns indicate that world champions typically establish their own meta rather than conforming to existing trends, presenting JDG with the challenge of maintaining their distinctive playstyle under international pressure.

DWG Kia and G2 Esports both experienced challenging playoff runs in their home regions. DWG’s roster experimentation yielded mixed results, leading to their Worlds 2022 campaign featuring Jang “Nuguri” Ha-gwon as starting top laner in a meta emphasizing side lane dominance. G2’s reputation for clutch performances under duress makes their group stage outcomes particularly difficult to forecast.

The struggle for second position could realistically require tiebreaker scenarios, with each team possessing unique strengths that could determine advancement. Understanding each organization’s adaptability to international competition becomes essential for accurate predictions.

Group C replicates the established pattern of LPL dominance with LCK and LEC squads competing for runner-up status, while the fourth participant hopes for breakthrough performances.

Throughout 2022, Top Esports established themselves as perennial contenders who consistently approach but don’t quite achieve ultimate victory. Their second-place finishes in both spring and summer finals, behind MSI champions RNG and current Worlds favorite JDG, position them as formidable but not invincible.

DRX advanced through the main event undefeated, demonstrating their capability to compete directly with LPL organizations during Play-In matches. Additional victories against MAD Lions reinforced their resilience and capacity to secure wins from seemingly lost positions.

Rogue seeks to overcome their 2021 group stage disappointment and secure knockout round qualification. The LEC champions must maintain consistency while avoiding potential upsets against aggressive regional styles.

The psychological dimension emerges as Group C’s defining characteristic, with mental fortitude potentially outweighing raw mechanical skill. Teams that maintain composure during high-pressure situations will likely determine the group’s final standings.

Group D presents the most predictable bracket in Worlds 2022. Gen.G shattered their domestic championship curse by capturing the LCK title through dominant performances against an injured T1 squad. Considered among the tournament favorites, Gen.G appears almost certain to claim the group’s top position.

100 Thieves maintains competitive potential considering RNG’s concerning performances against DRX and Detonation FocusMe.

In best-of-one formats, 100 Thieves could identify opportunities for advancement, provided they avoid directly challenging RNG’s characteristic aggressive fighting style.

CTBC Flying Oyster faces monumental challenges in Group D. The PCS representatives will struggle to achieve results beyond occasional upset victories against established powerhouses.

The group’s dynamics favor organizations with established international experience and consistent strategic execution. Teams demonstrating adaptability between matches will likely determine the final qualification spots behind Gen.G’s expected dominance.

Mastering Worlds 2022 Pick’ems requires balancing statistical analysis with strategic risk management. Avoid the common mistake of overvaluing regional reputation without considering current form and meta adaptation.

Regional Performance Patterns: LPL teams typically demonstrate superior early-game aggression, while LCK organizations excel in methodical mid-to-late game execution. These patterns should inform but not dictate your predictions.

Meta Considerations: The current patch favors side lane dominance and objective control. Teams with strong top laners and jungle coordination hold significant advantages.

Tiebreaker Preparation: Groups with evenly matched second-place contenders often require additional games to determine qualification.

Risk Management Strategy: Allocate 70% of picks to established favorites while reserving 30% for calculated upset predictions.

For comprehensive strategic guidance, consult our Complete Guide to tournament predictions.

Action Checklist

  • Analyze each team’s most recent 10-15 games for form patterns
  • Identify 2-3 potential upset scenarios per group based on current vulnerabilities
  • Review head-to-head historical matchups between teams
  • Balance predictions with 70% safe picks and 30% calculated risks
  • Monitor pre-tournament scrimmage rumors and patch adaptation

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