TSM vs Team Liquid – LCS Match of the Week (2019 Spring)

Posted on March 21, 2019

TSM clash with Team Liquid on March 24! Both teams are at the top of the LCS standings, so this is one of the most anticipated matchups of the regular season. With that in mind, we just had to cover it in our final LCS match of the week breakdown!

TSM went through a lot this split. They started the regular season as a team that lives and dies by early aggression, but they gradually built themselves up into a well-rounded powerhouse. Granted, early aggression is still their strongest suit, but you can also count on them to run a solid 1-3-1 or challenge their foes in 5v5 teamfights.

Team Liquid didn’t have to face as many obstacles. Few North American teams had the talent to challenge them on the Rift, so they quickly became the LCS top dogs. Most of their strength comes from dominant teamfighting and veteran shot calling, but TL also made an effort to experiment with other playstyles in preparation for the playoffs.

TSM vs Team Liquid Match Breakdown

Top Lane Matchup

The TSM vs Team Liquid top lane is the battle of playstyles. With a 2.8 KDA and 8.3 CS per minute, TSM Broken Blade is an aggressive splitpusher that goes above and beyond to make the entire game revolve around him. He can get overeager, though, which makes him the perfect target for the enemy jungler.

TL Impact doesn’t have as many openings. Sporting a 5.4 KDA and 8.2 CS per minute, he’s a veteran top laner that excels at initiating teamfights and providing an unwavering frontline for his carries. However, his mechanics aren’t on the necessary level to keep up with Broken Blade, so unless Impact gets some help, he’ll spend the entire match on the back foot.

VERDICT: TSM Broken Blade claims the top lane as his own.

Jungle Matchup

The jungle will be interesting to follow. Sporting a 3.1 KDA and 5.3 CS per minute, Akaadian is a daring playmaker that stops at nothing to set his teammates up for success. His playmaking is a double-edged sword, though, and it’s all too common to see his ganks blow up into his face.

LoL Worlds Groups Team Liquid

Xmithie is much more consistent in comparison. With a 5.6 KDA and 5.6 CS per minute, TL’s jungler posses an uncanny ability to always be in the right place at the right time. This turns makes him a perfect counter to Akaadian’s gank-heavy playstyle, as Xmithie will be sure to protect his teammates from enemy aggression.

VERDICT: TL Xmithie outmaneuvers his opponent in the jungle.

Mid Lane Matchup

It’s hard to come up with a more exciting mid lane matchup than TSM vs Team Liquid. Sporting a 4.8 KDA and 8.9 CS per minute, TSM Bjergsen is a powerhouse in every sense of the word. His laning is solid and his teamfighting is on point, but it’s the way he works with his teammates and continually finds those do-or-die outplays that sets him apart from the rest of the playing field.

On paper, Jensen should have the firepower to match him. With a 13.8 KDA and 9.2 CS per minute, he made a name for himself as a mid lane prodigy that’s always pushing his foes into a corner with his mechanics and instinctual game sense. That said, Jensen shifted to a very reactionary playstyle during the second half of the regular season, which puts him at a disadvantage against a foe of Bjergsen’s caliber.

VERDICT: TSM Bjergsen takes the lead in the mid lane.

Bot Lane Matchup

A different story takes place in the bot lane. Holding a 4.5 KDA and 9.4 CS per minutes, TSM Zven is renowned for his teamfighting, however, he’s recently ramped up the aggression in the laning phase. This is a welcome change in direction for Smoothie (3.1 KDA), who has always had a knack for making picks and kick-starting teamfights.

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Team Liquid’s bot lane is in a bit of a slump. With a 10.5 KDA and 10.3 CS per minute, Doublelift made a number of odd positioning mistakes in recent matches, so he’s not as dominant as he used to be. However, CoreJJ (7.3 KDA) does a good job of covering for his mistakes and taking over the game with his roams, so don’t be quick to write this duo off. In fact, we’d still give the edge to Team Liquid, although it’s not as big as they would have liked.

VERDICT: TL Doublelift and CoreJJ gain a slight lead in the bot lane.

TSM vs Team Liquid Match Prediction

This TSM vs Team Liquid matchup is going to be close! Neither party can straight-up outmuscle the other in the laning phase, so everything will come down to macro and synergy. Usually, this would mean a win for Team Liquid. However, TSM have been so on top of their game during the final weeks regular season that we’re going to have to go with a victory for Team SoloMid!

You can bet on TSM winning the final LCS match of the week for odds of 2.45 at Rivalry.

Go To Rivalry »

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Kieran L.

Kieran is a gaming & esports betting enthusiast, and one of our top contributors based in Australia. He mainly follows the LoL esports scene, focusing on North America, LEC and LCK. Follow Kieran's updates, exclusive stories and bookmaker reviews.

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