LPL 2022 Summer Split Week 5 Preview

Week 5 of the LPL 2022 marks the midway point in the Summer Split. While some teams are starting to separate themselves from the rest of the pack, for the most part, the teams are still closely together. Two wins is all it takes to be in ninth, and two wins is all that separates sixth from sixteenth. None the less, JDG and Victory Five have begun to isolate themselves at the top of the table, while Team WE continues to sink to rock bottom. Here is a preview of the next week’s worth of matches.

---

LPL 2022 Spring Split Week 4: Day 6

Match 1: LGD vs LNG

Saturday’s first match features LNG and LGD. LNG experienced two losses this past week, one to Top Esports, and a surprise upset to OMG. The support role continues to be their weakest point, and the rest of the team have been irregular this split. When they do win, it’s off the back of a hard carry from one of their players. LNG needs to shore up these mistakes, unless they want to go through even more of a hassle to make it into playoffs. A team that was very hyped coming into 2022, LNG is yet to show up this year. However, it is not too late to turn their split around, all they need is the confidence to perform.

Meanwhile, LGD continues to have difficulty in their performances. Despite putting on a good performance against OMG in game one, they got slaughtered in game two. LGD need to find their footing to try to make it into playoffs. They’ve shown some positives this split, with this iteration of the roster looking much more solid than their spring roster. And a series against a struggling LNG might be just what LGD need to find themselves in the LPL.

Prediction: LNG

---

Match 2: JDG vs FunPlus Phoenix

JDG and FPX will face off in the second match of the day. JDG continue to sit at the top of the table, remaining undefeated so far this split. All of their players have been top three in their respective roles so far this split, and momentum is on their side. A win here means they continue to be the first placed team in complete isolation from Victory Five, the other undefeated team so far this split. If JDG continue performing in this rich vein of form, they are clear favourites to go to Worlds. All that is left is to find out of they can take the number one seed for themselves.

Meanwhile, FPX have picked up their first win this split. A solid victory over Rare Atom means that FPX is finally on the board. However, it was much closer than they would have liked. Not to mention that Xiaolaohu, their top laner, was one of the main reasons why FPX won that series in the first place, but he is likely getting benched for Summit soon. And while Summit is an incredible player in his own right, subbing FPX’s best performing player for a top laner that won’t have the same level of communication as the rest of the roster is a questionable move at best.

Prediction: JD Gaming

---

Match 3:Top Esports vs Weibo

The final match of the week, Top vs Weibo, should be an amazing one. Weibo is a team that tends to bring it every game, with a unique playstyle that few other teams have. And while they can often lack the synergy and teamwork that other teams have, they more than make up for it in individual skill. Not to mention that Weibo is one of the teams that seems to always bring out the best of Top Esports. One of the modern days rivals of the LPL, Weibo, previously Suning, taking on Top Esports always is a memorable occasion for both players, fans, and casters.

Meanwhile, Top Esports is still looking to keep up with the undefeated teams. While they did drop to JDG, Top Esports is right there, behind them. If either of them slip up and Top Esports doesn’t, then they can easily overtake them. Coming off of a stellar week from their top side crew, with both Wayward and Tian being on the roster of the week, Top Esports has more than enough mojo on their side to keep up with JDG and Victory Five.

Prediction: Top Esports

---

LPL 2022 Spring Split Week 4: Day 7

Match 1: Rare Atom vs Team World Elite

The first match of Sunday features both Team World Elite and Rare Atom. Team WE is struggling, looking like the worse team in the LPL by a considerable margin. Even their previously promising players are starting to underperform.  Having already faced and lost one of the other teams expected to join them at the bottom, WE fans are now starting to think about a possible 0:16 split. This would be the teams worst result in their history, with V5 being the only LPL team in history to ever lose all 16 of their matches in a split. Quite a fall from grace from where they were just a year ago.

Meanwhile, Rare Atom aren’t looking that hot themselves. Other than a win against a shaky OMG, Rare Atom have little else to show for themselves this split. Their bot lane has been suffering tremendously, and Leyan continue to be a coinflip jungler to a degree that even Mlxg would be proud of. Their solo lanes are their only source of hope. Luckily for them, their opponents this series have some of the weakest solo laners. Xiye continues to be unimpressive, and Biubiu has been above average once in his career. Look at Strive to be RA’s main carry.

Prediction: Rare Atom

---

Match 2: Ultra Prime vs Royal Never Give Up

The second match of the day features RNG vs Ultra Prime. RNG have to win to keep up with the undefeated teams. Despite their loss to Victory Five, RNG can keep their heads held high. Comparing their performance this summer versus their performance last summer, RNG look so much better. A team that oozes history, for the first time in a while, RNG might go to Worlds as a genuine hope for the LPL. They are far from prefect, and they tend to overstep a lot of boundaries, but when push comes to shove, RNG tend to always come out on top.

Meanwhile, Ultra Prime have started to fall off a bit. After looking like a competitive team for a while, they suffered a crushing loss to Weibo Gaming. Currently two and four, Ultra Prime need to get back on track if they have any intention on competing for a playoff spot. They have the quality they need, but now they need to find the form and consistency to bring that quality to their games.

Prediction: Royal Never Give Up

---

LPL 2022 Spring Split Week 5: Day 1

Match 1:ThunderTalk Gaming vs Bilibili Gaming

The first match of week 5 of the LPL 2022 Summer Split is between Bilibili Gaming and ThunderTalk Gaming. TT are coming off of a very rough week, having faced both JDG and EDG, two teams likely to make Worlds. Prior to last week, ThunderTalk Gaming looked fairly solid for a team that is undergoing massive renovations. They are probably not going to make playoffs, but they could cause problems on purpose to teams looking to make playoffs themselves. TT is a team to keep an eye out for next year. A few minor upgrades and changes, and they could fight for a playoff spot.

Meanwhile, BLG managed to pick up a win, after going on a alarming losing streak. Now sitting at 2 and four, BLG need to find their form and return to playoffs. Icon’s arrival brought some stability to the team, as ironic as that may seem. Add on a solid bot lane, and BLG seems to be back in business. Now it’s a matter of how far can they go. A team that was built to be a dream team is lost somewhere in purgatory. Can BLG escape this nightmare and still make it to Worlds?

Prediction: Bilibili Gaming

---

Match 2:  OMG vs EDG

The second match of the day features OMG and EDG. OMG have managed to get themselves on the board. In fact, they were on a two game winning streak, with an upset over LNG and a solid victory over LGD. But a crushing loss to RNG brought the weight of reality back down on OMG. While they now look like a team that could fight for a playoff spot, they have to continuously punch above their weight. Some of their losses were against teams that will contest them for a playoff spot, or worse, not even make playoffs in the first case. OMG need to start beating teams that are much better than them on paper, if they want to remain relevant this split.

Meanwhile, EDG seems to have gotten past getting stomped by JDG. Currently on a three series winning streak, EDG look to be back in Worlds form. After a disappointing spring, not even making it into the the top six, EDG look ready to defend their Worlds title. Viper continues to be a top three ADC in China, alongside the experienced Meiko and Scout. Flandre has been questionable at times, but proven to be consistent enough. That leaves Jiejie as EDG’s wild card. Either dooming the team or winning them the game, Jiejie sets the tempo that EDG lives by.

Prediction: EDG

---

LPL 2022 Spring Split Week 5: Day 2

Match 1: Invictus Gaming vs LNG

LNG and Invictus Gaming face off in the first match played on Tuesday. LNG will want to push back a team that could contest their playoff spot, while ushering themselves back towards the top of the table. While their loss to Top Esports was an understandable one, their loss to OMG was nothing less than an upset. LNG fans have a lot of questions and they deserve some answers. And a lot of these answers will only come with a solid and convincing win against a middle of the pack team. Invictus Gaming may be a bit below that, but they are a great start.

Meanwhile, Invictus Gaming are facing a similar fate to their spring one. Almost beating multiple teams, giving fans high hopes and a glimpse of what the team could be. With five losses, and four of those being 2:1 losses, it’s understandable. However, almost be the second best in a match of league of legends is a fancy way of saying loser. And at the end of the day, their scoreline shows that. Sitting at 1:5, IG are starting to fall behind the pack of teams that will be fighting for a playoff spot.

Prediction: LNG

---

Match 2 Weibo Gaming vs Anyone’s Legend

The second match of the day will either be an absolute banger of a match, or will be a boring 2:0 stomp. Both of these teams have been giant question marks so far this split, being consistently inconsistent in their performances. Weibo Gaming have beaten teams that are expected to end under them, but other than their Ultra Prime win, none of them were in a convincing manner. Not to mention that their losses to RNG and EDG were crushing ones, being slowly choked out of the game and eventually losing. Weibo Gaming need to find their footing and become the team that they the potential to be.

Meanwhile, Anyone’s Legend continues to be very unpredictable. All of their players have been having a solid split so far, with both Forge and Qiuqiu being two that are going above and beyond. While they still have some int-eresting moments, for the most part they look solid. Far better than they did in spring. A win here would not only keep them in the playoff race, but would cement them as a potential threat for teams like BLG and LNG.

Prediction: Weibo Gaming

---

LPL 2022 Spring Split Week 5: Day 3

Match 1:FunPlus Phoenix vs LGD

In match one of day three, FPX will take on LGD. FunPlus Phoenix will have to make a decision if they are going to play Summit or continue to play Xiaolaohu. This decision could be crucial at many levels, especially since this match against LGD could be the one that decides if they make playoffs or not. FPX hasn’t looked like a strong team so far this split, but then again, neither has LGD. XLH has been their best performing player, but Summit has star potential. Either way, this series should be a good one, as both teams seems fairly evenly matched, with FPX having a slight edge.

Meanwhile, LGD will want to get more wins to their name. While the roster hasn’t changed much from their spring one, they seem more promising. LGD now play with a purpose and have clear objectives in mind, and aren’t just running at the enemy team and hoping they win. While this is due in part to their new rookies, LGD made changes in the coaching staff, so credit goes to them too. That said, LGD will need an overperformance from their players if they are to beat FPX.

Prediction: FunPlus Phoenix

---

Match 2: Victory Five vs Rare Atom

Victory Five will take on Rare Atom in the second match of the day. It is impressive to see that a team playing with a substitute mid laner is currently one of the undefeated teams in the LPL. And while V5’s opponents, for the most part, haven’t been top tier teams, they also beat RNG, so that argument is out the window. The truth is that Dream, V5’s current mid laner, has been putting on the performance of a lifetime. He is still a very young rookie, so he is a name that many should remember for years to come. That said, Rookie himself is likely going to be clear to play this match, so it could end up being his glorious return.

Meanwhile, Rare Atom are grasping at straws here. Up against Victory Five, Rare Atom probably aren’t looking forward to this match. Cube has been a discount version of Rich, Karsa/XLB have both been far more consistent than Leyan, and there is a gap the size of a galaxy between Photic and iBoy. To add insult to injury, Strive, RA’s best hope, will either be up against a candidate for rookie of the split, or up against the spring split MVP himself. No matter how you look at it, Rare Atom’s goose seems cooked for this match.

Prediction: Victory Five

---

LPL 2022 Spring Split Week 5: Day 4

Match 1: Team World Elite vs OMG

With no matches being played on Thursday, Friday will be day four of the week 5. OMG will take on WE, and OMG have the obligation to win here. As mention before, OMG have already faced a lot of teams that are expected to finish around them, so this is one of their last chances. WE look like the weakest team in the LPL by a long shot, so this will be OMG clearest shot at rejoining the middle-of-the-pack teams. Two of the most historic orgs in the LPL, OMG have a lot to prove, to both new fans and old ones. A loss here would mean that OMG is all but eliminated from playoffs, before even getting past the halfway point of the split.

On the other side of the rift, WE have to reinvent the wheel if the have any hope of not ending up 0:16. None of their players have looked impressive, or even solid so far this split. If an article were to be written, raking every LPL player by role, WE’s players would likely be seventeenth in every role, minus whatever roles teams have multiple players, in which case WE would be even further down the list. WE need to find ground to stand on, be it solid or not, it would already be better than what they currently have.

Prediction: OMG

---

Match 2: JD Gaming vs LNG

The final match of today’s article is about JDG and LNG. LNG will have the monumental task of taking down JDG, a team that is undefeated so far in the LPL. While LNG were in a similar position not too long ago, they suffered two losses, making them fall significantly behind the top teams. And with the way the LPL manages to be both competitive and top heavy, falling behind usually means staying behind. LNG will need to reverse their fortunes if they want to take down JDG. However, if they do manage such a monumental task, LNG would be primed to return to the top. Being the first team to take down an undefeated team will always bring confidence, especially to such an emotional team like LNG.

Meanwhile, JDG have been putting on a masterclass. 369 is once again at the top of his game, looking like the best top laner in the LPL. Yagao has been solid so far this split, not trying to go above and beyond and understanding he doesn’t need to. Kanavi looks amazing, showing his true potential as a jungler, in a vein of form debatably better than his 2020 form. And Missing and Hope have both been S tier. They are the most complete bot lane this split, not to mention the most convincing one. And that says a lot about their ability as a duo.

Prediction: JD Gaming

And that concludes the preview of week 4, as well as the first five days of week 5 Be sure to come back next time, to read about the last matches of Week 5 as well as the first few matches of Week 6.

---

Stay Connected

You can ‘Like’ The Game Haus on Facebook and ‘Follow’ us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from other great TGH writers.

Follow JJ on Twitter: @NeonColouredJay