LEC Winter 2023: Prediction, Picks and Odds for January 28

• Vitality will start as massive favorites to continue their unbeaten run against Astralis
• Mad Lions will be a value choice in their even-money game against Excel Esports
• G2 are also favored to continue to stay unbeaten in the LEC this weekend

Astralis vs Vitality Pick

Vitality

Astralis vs Vitality Prediction

Vitality have something about them this season as evidenced from their early-season form of three wins in three games. They will fancy their chances of making it four from four when they face Astralis this weekend.

Perkz In Sublime Form

Perkz has been in sensational killing rhythm in the middle lane so far this season, averaging 7 kills per map with 2.67 deaths and 8.67 assists, which has taken his KDA to 5.88. It is that kill participation rate that makes him one of the most dangerous players in Europe.

He has received plenty of defensive support from other areas as well, including from Bo in the jungle, who has returns of 4.33 kills, 2.67 deaths and 11 assists at a KDA of 5.75 and a creep score of 198.67.

Vitality have also been aided by Neon in the bottom lane, who has provided stable returns while not being over aggressive in the lanes. He has managed 4 kills, 1.67 deaths and 8.33 assists with a solid KDA of 7.4. That kill participation rate coupled with a low death rate has allowed Vitality to ensure their defense has remained solid ahead of neutral objective collection, such as dragons or barons.

G2 vs SK Gaming Pick

G2

G2 vs SK Gaming Prediction

Only two teams have remained unbeaten so far this season in the LEC: Vitality and G2 Esports. G2 have continued their sprightly run of form from a strong end to 2022. You would expect this G2 team to make a deep run into the winter split with this level of strength in their roster.

From an offensive standpoint, the aggression is led by bot laner Hans Sama, who has averaged 4.33 kills per game. That is not his most impressive metric. He is also averaging 0.67 deaths and 9 assists per map at a stunning KDA of 20. That KDA is second best in the LEC behind only Comp.

G2 have received notable offense from various avenues, including in the jungle. Yike is leading the team in kills with an average of 8.67 per game with 1 death and 5.67 assists per map. He even has a creep score of 221.67.

SK Gaming Have Started With Mediocrity

SK Gaming have remained a mid-level team in the LEC, which is expected with this level of competition in the league. They have started the season with one win after three games, which leaves them in a four-way tie for fifth spot in the LEC.

From a personnel standpoint, the problems are apparent. No player from SK Gaming has averaged over four kills per map, which is an indicator of their lack of depth in team fights. G2 will look at this as an opportunity to capitalize on some hesitation ahead of the early dragon spawns.

Irrelevant, in the top lane, has the most kills with an average of 3.67 per map. If a team’s top laner has the most kills after three games, it is as clear an indicator as any of a lack of proficiency in team fights.

Excel Esports vs Mad Lions Pick

Mad Lions

Excel Esports vs Mad Lions Prediction

Excel Esports have started with one win in three games while Mad Lions have two wins from three. Still, there isn’t much separating these two teams, who have both continued to stay relevant in the LEC with strong performances in 2022.

Offensive Issues For Excel

Excel will continue to remain in the mid table unless they are able to find some depth in team fights. This will have to be led by their mid and bot laner pairing of Vetheo and Patrik respectively.

Vetheo has averaged 2.33 kills, 3.67 deaths and 5.33 assists per map at a KDA of 2.09 while Patrik has managed returns of 3 kills, 5 death and 4.67 assists at a KDA of 1.53. These are significantly below par, and will almost always get Excel in trouble ahead of team fights.

Nisqy In Strong Form For Mad Lions

Over in the middle lane, Nisqy has been in terrific touch for Mad Lions, averaging 5 kills, 1.67 deaths and 6.67 assists per map at a KDA of 7 and a creep score of 258.67. This level of offensive proficiency could easily be the difference between these two teams because they go into team fights with different levels of confidence.

Bot laner Carzzy has the team’s best KDA with 9.33, built on 4 kills, 1 death and 5.33 assists per map. He has stayed consistent in his lane, not overindulged in team fights and has thereby helped Mad Lions win enough team fights to make sufficient progress towards the opponent’s nexus.

Mad Lions have enough depth across positions in Summoner’s Rift, which is why we are going with them to win this even-money contest, and improve their position in the LEC table.

Fnatic vs Team BDS Pick

Fnatic

Fnatic vs Team BDS Prediction

Fnatic have some work to do to return to the top half of the table after starting the season with one win in three games. Team BDS also have the same record after three games with one win in three maps so far.

Rekkles Makes Slow Start

Rekkles plied his trade in the LFL for the majority of last year but has made a sedate start in his return from France. He has started with 3 kills, 2 deaths and 3.33 assists per map at a KDA of 3.17 and a creep score of 293.

Over in the mid lane, Humanoid has stepped up with figures of 4 kills, 2.67 deaths and 4.33 assists per map at a KDA of 3.13 and a creep score of 252.67. His proficiency in the middle lane has helped Fnatic at least stay relevant in the early exchanges of the LEC.

Fnatic will need this mid and bot laner pairing to stand up in the coming weeks in order to make progress up the standings. Considering Rekkles’ talent, that seems inevitable.

Team BDS Dominating The Lanes

Team BDS have had a lot of success in the lanes in the LEC so far, led by mid laner Nuc, who has averaged 5 kills with 3.33 assists per map. He has also helped in the middle game by generating a solid creep score of 328 per game.

Bot laner Crownie has been one of the best players in the LEC to date. His returns so far are 4.33 kills, 0.67 deaths and 5.67 assists per map at a KDA of 15 and a creep score of 398.67. If these two maintain this form, this could be an interesting matchup against one of the best bot laners in the league in Rekkles on Saturday.

How To Watch LEC Spring 2023

• Teams: Excel Esports vs Mad Lions, Fnatic vs Team BDS, G2 vs SK Gaming, Astralis vs Vitality
• Location: Europe
• Time: Saturday, January 28 at 12 pm ET onwards
• How to watch: LEC Twitch channel