Since MSI is kicking off in a few hours, it will be the perfect time to evaluate the top contenders of the 2019 edition. Let’s have a comprehensive look at the two favorites:
2) SK Telecom T1
Faker makes his return to the big stage. One of the best players in the world is back to assert his dominance on the international stage. He and SKT T1 missed the MSI in 2018 but now will surely aim to win the title. The team recruited some of the finest players for the 2019 season, which also included acquiring the services of Cho “Mata” Se-hyeong. He has played a crucial role in the survival SKT in the Korean league and reigned supreme in the playoffs.
Congratulations to @T1LoL on winning the 2019 #LCK Spring Finals and qualifying for the 2019 Mid-Season Invitational! #MSI2019 pic.twitter.com/OBwM936BY5
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) April 13, 2019
Apart from Mata, the team can rely on other players. Their ADC, Park “Teddy” Jin-seong is being rated as the best in his role since none can match him when it comes to dominating with a number of champions. The jungler of the team, Kim “Clid” Tae-min took him to shine, but now has formed a solid bond with the mid lane and dominates the Summoner’s Rift. Meanwhile, the top laner, Kim “Khan” Dong-ha has proven time after time that he can beat the best on his day. He controls the tempo of the SKT T1 side.
SKT will be aiming to at least reach the finale of the MSI 2019. The side holds one of the best teams in the world, that is adapting well to the fast-paced meta. They will surely need to give a strong fight to the reigning world champions, Invictus Gaming. We believe that the Eastern region will surely make its mark in Vietnam.
1) Invictus Gaming
You can’t simply knock out the 2018 world champions out the title equations. In the 2019 Spring Split, they have dominated the LPL and lifted their first league title. The Chinese side didn’t make any changes to its roster after winning Worlds in November. They have made the right choice and in our opinion. Invictus Gaming is the favorite to win the title.
Since February whenever I've been asked who the favourites are for MSI I've had one answer: Invictus Gaming. What does an iG victory look like? Look no further than the LPL Grand Final Game 1, iG vs. JDG https://t.co/p0tSoXzvd0
— Chris Smith (@PapaSmithy) April 30, 2019
The top laner of the team, Kang “TheShy” Seung-lok was phenomenal for the team. In our opinion, he is the core element to the rise of IG on the International stage. Meanwhile, Song “Rookie” Eui-jin has surely come a long way and is quite capable of causing problems for Faker in the mid lane. IG has perfectly adopted the meta and have the tendency to snowball to victory.
The only problem for Invictus Gaming could be the lack of competitive practice in the newer patches. Since LPL ended with the 9.5 while other regions continued to play till 9.7. However, the reigning champions of the world will surely know how to find a solution. They have won everything they got their hands on since November. We really don’t think that they would want to break their streak in the 2nd biggest LoL competition of the year.
