LOL LPL Summer 2019 Odds & Picks: Invictus Gaming Opens as Favorite

• The LPL Summer Split begins June 1st
• Will Invictus go back-to-back?
• Can anyone dethrone the reigning world champs?

June 1st will see the second split of the LPL kickoff, and to nobody’s surprise Invictus Gaming are the favorite to once again come out on top in China. Considered to be the best team in the world, IG look to claim their second domestic title of the year, but is there another team that can dethrone the kings of the LPL? First let’s take a look at the oddstable.

LPL Summer Split Odds

*Odds taken 05/28/19

Can Anyone Challenge Invictus?

Invictus Gaming head into the second split of the LPL as the favorite to win and make it back-to-back titles in China in 2019. The odds though are surprising, however, as you would expect that they would be listed as the odds-on favorite considering how much they dominated in 2019.

IG from top to bottom are a world-class team with world-class talent. Probably the best top laner in the world, maybe even the best mid laner in the world, a top-3 jungler in the world, and a pair in the bot lane that at minimum is top-3 in the world. They truly are a complete team and the fact they are only listed as +150 to win the Summer Split is a little confusing.

They finished the Spring Split with a 11-4 record, and breezed through the playoffs only dropping one game. IG has shown time and time again that they are a force to be reckoned with both in China and internationally, and I expect them to head into the Summer Split with a chip on their shoulder after losing to Liquid in the semis of MSI.

Invictus Gaming finished the Spring Split with a 11-4 record and breezed through the playoffs, only dropping one game.

There certainly are other teams that can challenge IG in the Summer Split as China is one of the best regions in the world at League of Legends, but they are such a solid all-around team that I just don’t see any other team being able to topple the Chinese titans when it’s all on the line. I expect they will be once again hoisting another trophy in the second split of the LPL, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they did it in a dominant fashion.

Other Teams to Keep an Eye On

Though I think it’s very likely that IG come out on top again in the LPL, there are probably a few other teams that can spoil their plans of winning back-to-back titles in China. A few of the teams I would advise at least taking a look at would be Royal Never Give Up, Top Esports, and FunPlus Phoenix.

RNG is a team that’s a staple in the Chinese scene, with the legendary Uzi leading the charge in the bot lane. They have shown multiple times that they are a world-class team, and that they should never be taken lightly. They are more than capable of taking the W in the Summer Split.

Top Esports and FunPlus Phoenix are both teams that proved in the Spring Split that they are the real deal, and are the new faces in the Chinese scene that should be looked upon as serious contenders. Both provide decent value to win the Summer Split and both are certainly capable of upsetting the reigning world champions on the right day, so if you’re looking for more bang for your buck consider taking a look at either of these teams.

Pick: Invictus Gaming (+150)

See our other League of Legends coverage:

• League of Legends LCS Summer 2019 Odds & Picks: Liquid Listed as Slight Favorite