League Championship Series: Week 5 Predictions

Week five will be giving us a whole array of amusing matchups as the first half of the Spring split comes to an end. With some crucial games that will have an impact on the playoff race, it will be vital for every team to put forth their best showing. As for our standings, they are: Brandon (25-13), Manny (22-18), Major (22-18), and Ibriz (20-20).

Saturday, February, 23rd

5 PM ET OpTic Gaming vs. 100 Thieves

100 Thieves have been plagued with inconsistency and can't seem to be able to gather their footing. This weekend it will be essential for the Thieves as they want to establish themselves as a strong contender for the title. OpTic Gaming is still trying to show up big OpTic have had some great games so far. After a tough time in the first couple of weeks, due to a rotating squad because of visa issues, Optic need to start putting some wins together, or they will be looking to be one of the bottom teams of the LCS.

Brandon: OpTic Gaming

Manny: 100 Thieves

Major: 100 Thieves

Ibriz: 100 Thieves

6 PM ET Team Liquid vs. Echo Fox

Team Liquid suffered their first loss of the split at the hands of a surging TSM and will be looking to bounce back against Echo Fox. Liquid is still considered the best team in the LCS and is heavy favorites coming into this game. Echo Fox has been a middle of the table team and thanks to the acquisition of Rush in the jungle, it seems it will be another 1-1 week for them. It will be intriguing to see how TL bounce back after dropping their undefeated split.

Brandon: Team Liquid

Manny: Team Liquid

Major: Team Liquid

Ibriz: Team Liquid

7 PM ET Clutch Gaming vs. Golden Guardians

Golden Guardians have had an impressive turnaround after starting 0-4 and will be looking to improve when they face the 2-6 Clutch Gaming. Clutch seems to be having issues with some of their star players, most importantly Huni in the top lane. The Guardians will be looking to take advantage of these sluggish laners and keep improving to stay away from a potential third consecutive tenth place finish.

Brandon: Golden Guardians

8 PM ET FlyQuest vs. Cloud9

FlyQuest and Cloud9 have some long-lived history and will be looking to add another chapter when these two teams clash on Summoner's Rift. Both teams are separated by one game. The matchup to watch has to be V1per versus Licorice. Licorice has to be considered the best top lane player in the LCS but V1per has had two consecutive amazing performances on his signature Riven pick. Both of these players are known for playing a whole array of champions. Licorice will want to protect his throne and help Cloud9 pick up a victory.

Brandon: Cloud9

Manny: Cloud9

Major: Cloud9

Ibriz: FlyQuest

9 PM ET TSM vs. CLG

The last game of matchday one is the well known North American Classic when TSM meet CLG. It feels that this will be the first time in the last couple of years that this matchup can be one by either team. TSM come off from an improbable, yet, impressive win when they took down Team Liquid and will be on many's radars to start making their way up the standings. Another entertaining storyline we can explore is on the coaching side as both of these teams “traded” some coaches, with TSM receiving Zikz and CLG acquiring Weldon Green. Who will be able to reign supreme at this stage of the season?

Brandon: TSM

Manny: TSM

Major: CLG

Ibriz: CLG

Sunday, February 24th

3 PM ET Golden Guardians vs. Echo Fox

Rush has yet to have an 0-2 week in his career, this split so far Echo Fox have been undefeated on Sundays. With the Golden Guardians having faced Echo Fox already on a Sunday, they have the unlucky draw of facing Echo Fox on Sunday again. With that in mind, records are meant to be broken, and the Guardians will look to pick up the victory and continue their journey to the highest placing in team history.

Brandon: Echo Fox

Manny: Echo Fox

Major: Echo Fox

Ibriz: Echo Fox

4 PM ET OpTic Gaming vs. Clutch Gaming

When the bottom two teams of the league play, it usually results in either a boring game or an absolute fiesta. With two former Worlds finalists (and one winner) in this game, we hope at the very least that it will be an entertaining affair. Both teams are still at an arm's reach of the playoff spot, so this game will be crucial for both sides.

5 PM ET Cloud9 vs. CLG

The first that both of these sides met we had an epic clash that came out with CLG on top. Regardless of the previous encounter, many still believe that Cloud9 is still the heavy favorite. With a new patch implemented since then, will prove difficult to predict who will win. C9 is currently in second place but could fall if they have a poor weekend.

Brandon: Cloud9

Manny: Cloud9

Major: Cloud9

Ibriz: CLG

6 PM ET FlyQuest vs. TSM

TSM lost to FlyQuest back in the second week of the season. FlyQuest put on a clinic and dismantled TSM. This time TSM is coming off a remarkable win against the undefeated giants (Team Liquid) and will be looking to get revenge. V1per has been one of the best performing top laners and was able to get the better of Broken Blade when these two top laners met. Broken Blade had two immense performances and looks to be hitting his stride.

Brandon: FlyQuest

Manny: TSM

Major: TSM

Ibriz: FlyQuest

7 PM ET Team Liquid vs. 100 Thieves

When we saw Team Liquid face 100 Thieves in the second week of the split we expected a closer game than the one we got. 100 Thieves are in dire times as they try to stay within reach of playoffs. This game can be the trampoline 100 Thieves use to boost their morale and prove that they can take a game of a team that historically has beaten them consistently. Team Liquid will want to make sure that their loss to TSM doesn't affect their excellent season so far, and will be looking to prove they are still the best team in NA.

Brandon: Team Liquid

Manny: Team Liquid

Major: Team Liquid

Ibriz: Team Liquid

What games are you looking towards the most? Any predictions you think are incorrect? Let us know via Twitter.