3 Way Too Early Predictions for League of Legends Worlds 2021
By Ayrton Lauw
With the 2021 Mid-Season Invitational wrapped up, and the regular season starting, teams are looking for their chance to cement its name as the best for the upcoming 2021 League of Legends World Championships. But that's not leaving arm-chair analysts out of a job as it's time to cross some arms and make some hot predictions for Worlds way before it even happens.
3 Way Too Early Predictions for Worlds 2021
1. North America Will Disappoint - Again
The LCS is a burning building looking for firefighters to put out the flames. With import rule questions still looming over the circuit's head, unless NA organizations can dish out top dollar for more quality players, it would be improbable for NA to stand a serious chance against the vastly superior Korean and Chinese teams. And it is probable that even if an NA team makes it out of the group stage, they will lose soon after in the bracket stage. On top of the region needing serious upgrades to all of the teams, the situation of Barney "Alphari" Morris being benched on Team Liquid has only added gas to NA's misfortunes. The move will likely see players on their best behavior and the community members quick to exacerbate any problems within any of the organizations. So far, Cloud9 looks as the only complete team from North America, and will need to have the best postseason of its life in order to remain relevant at Worlds.
2. Southeast Asia Will Rise
In particular, Paris Saint-Germain Talons is going to be a force at Worlds this year. The Southeast Asian team led by veteran Huang "Maple" Yi-tang finished 3rd/4th at MSI this year, only losing to the eventual winners of Royal Never Give Up, 3-1, in the semifinals. The team is likely reflecting on this tournament and will push through the Pacific Championship Series (PCS) regular season as it sets its eyes on Worlds instead. It has been over nine years since Southeast Asia has won Worlds since the Taipei Assassins in Season 2. Though Maple is only 23 years old, he is in his prime now, and PSG Talons should not waste this opportunity.
3. Royal Never Give Up Will Win Worlds
The current 2021 Mid-Season Invitational Winners, Royal Never Give Up, are likely to see the same success when coming into the World Championships this year, especially being a home stand for the team in China. Though the South Korean team of DAMWON KIA may have a rebuttal for losing to RNG at MSI, until DK can fix its early-game woes, RNG will take every advantage and turn it into a win.