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We continue our journey with the LEC regional finals in 2023. We head to the lower grid of the final European League of Legends tournament with a look at the lower grid matches.
Fnatic and Excel will face off in the first match of the lower grid. There is no need to explain the importance of the match, as the winner of the match goes to the next round, which is the top 4 and at least a slot at the Worlds Qualifying Series.
Let's see who will be stronger and get at least to the qualifying round, and who will have to say goodbye to the prospects of going to Worlds 2023 one step away from the coveted goal.
Let's go.
Fnatic uniforms
We open our review of the LEC Finas 2023 lower grid clash with an analysis of Fnatic's form. In this match "Orange" will play the first number one with odds to win around 1.2.
Such indicator shows a clear advantage of FNC, which looks strange, because in the last round of play-offs Excel were favourites against MAD Lions, and here we are. And Fnatic didn't seem to be happy with their results for the year, although there were some bright moments.
Fnatic started their ascent to the LEC Regional Finals with an appearance at LEC Winter 2023. It wasn't a successful one, as the Orange finished the tourney in 9th place, not making it out of the group stage.
The following season, Fnatic gave one last chance to roster with Rekkles. They failed to use it, as FNC, after coming out of the group stage, lost in their first match against MAD Lions, thus ending the spring split at the top 8.
- Fnatic lineup: Oscarinin, Razork, Humanoid, Noah, Trymbi.
Two terrible splits resulted in major re-splits. ADC Rekkles and support Advienne left the band. In their place came Korean legionnaire Noah and experienced support Trymbi. The result was not long in coming.
Fnatic looked much better at the LEC summer split than at the two previous ones. The team managed to make it through the group stage and then made it to the top 3 of LEC Summer 2023, which allowed them to advance to the regional finals. Here's the truth, to the bottom set.
Fnatic's most popular champions
Jax (3 matches, 33% wins), Gwen (2 matches, 50% wins), Gangplank (2 matches, 50% wins), Jayce (2 games, 50% wins) take the top line.
In the woods, Maokai (7 matches, 42% wins), Sejuani (4 games, 25% wins), Vi (3 games, 66% wins) were permanent.
The centre line was most often occupied by Sylas (5 matches, 40% wins), Ryze (3 games, 100% wins), Akali (2 games, 0 wins).
Zeri and Sivir peaked equally often on the shooter position. Both heroes appeared 4 times, but the former won all his games, and the latter - none.
Ashe appeared most often amongst the Spurrots. Archer was chosen 5 times and won 2 matches. Yuumi (4 matches, 75% wins), Heimerdinger (4 matches, 25% wins) were also frequently played.
EXCEL Esports Form
We continue our review of the match for life at LEC Finas 2023 with an analysis of EXCEL Esports' match form. They are catching up in this match, and by a serious margin.
The odds for their victory are at 4.2. Apparently, League of Legends betting sites are convinced that Excel are a one-tournament team after their match with MAD Lions. However, the British club is still capable of outplaying the more titled teams, as we saw evidence of at LEC Summer.
EXCEL has had a very difficult season. At LEC Winter 2023, the team completely failed, finishing in the top 10.
The spring split, however, didn't show anything new. EXCEL once again failed the split and once again came in last.
- EXCEL line-up: Odoamne, Peach, Abbedagge, Patrik, LIMIT.
After two crushingly disgusting splits EXCEL changed the forester and the South Korean legionnaire Peach came to place Targamas. The change was good, because there is no other way to explain the miracle-run at LEC Summer 2023.
EXCEL not only finished in the top 3, but also made it to the Grand Final of the split, thus guaranteeing their entry to the LEC Finals. In the final Ledge or G2 Esports, but there is no shame in that, you have to understand.
The achievements of LEC Summer 2023 are at risk of being reversed given the experience of the first match of LEC Finals 2023. In the match against MAD Lions, Excel looked more like the ones we saw during LEC Winter and Spring, but not at the Summer split.
EXCEL's most popular champions
On the top line the most frequent picks are KSante (4 matches, 50% wins), Gnar (3 matches, 100% wins).
From the foresters picks are Wukong (4 matches, 50% wins), Vi (2 matches, 50% wins), Nocturne (2 matches, 50% wins), Viego (2 matches, 0% wins).
On the centre line Gragas (4 matches, 50% wins), Annie (4 matches, 50% wins).
Aphelios (6 matches, 33% wins), Jinx (3 matches, 66% wins), Zeri (2 matches, 100% wins).
The other stable players are Lulu (3 matches, 66% wins), Rakan (3 games, 0% wins), Nautilus (2 matches, 50% wins).
Head-to-head history
In 4 matches in 2023, the teams have absolute parity. Both sides have won 2 matches each.
Predicted result of the match Fnatic - EXCEL Esports
The last time we saw Fnatic was at LEC Summer 2023 and the Orange were swept away. However, I'm still convinced that EXCEL is a club of opportunity and their debut match against MAD Lions convinced me of that.
I don't rule out that EXCEL will struggle, but I see the Orange winning.
Bottom line: 3-1 victory for Fnatic.
