Afreeca Freecs vs Gen.G – LCK Spring Split 2019

The LCK is about to reach its climax. We had some exciting games throughout the winter, so let’s have a look at one of the last games of the season.

We selected this game for you as it between two once high rated teams, that have sunk to the depths of LCK. Gen.G vs Afreeca Freecs would have been one of the most prestigious encounters a year ago but now both teams are nowhere to be seen in the top standing. Let’s have a comprehensive look at both teams, how they have declined and which of them will come out on top in this encounter.

Afreeca Freecs vs Gen.G (LCK 2019 Spring Season, Best of 3 series March 22, 2019, 9:00 AM CET)

Gen.G

Under the banner of the Samsung Galaxy, the side lifted the title of the Worlds. This incredible feat was accomplished in 2017 but in 2018, the same side completely lost its way on the competitive stage. They came out empty-handed in the Spring Split, but they did just enough to compete in the2018 Worlds. However, they had an embarrassing campaign as they were sent home packing after the group stage, being some of the few teams that were eliminated so early in the competition. In their entire campaign, they played only six games, out which they lost five and won only one.

2019 – A rough start

In 2019, preseason, they made a number of questionable changes to their lineup which saw some of the most experienced players parting ways from the side: Lee ” Crown ” Min-ho, Kang ” Ambition ” Chan-yong, Jo ” CoreJJ ” Yong-in and Kang ” Haru ” Min-Seung departed the team. The entire team was structured around their ADC, Ruler while Curvee’s contract was also extended by the organization.

In the hopes of lifting the title, Gen.G went all in the transfer market by recruiting a former world champion, Peanut to its ranks. He was without a contract and was in the short list of many teams in the competitive landscape. However, Gen.G got him after offering the highest salary in his position. So, after moving in the spotlight, Peanut was not expected to fail. The coaches needed to work on Curvee as he is prone to throw games on rare occasions, while Ruler needed to adapt to the modern day meta as soon as possible. On a personal note, we didn’t see deserving his high figured contract as his performance isn’t up to mark after being crowned the champion.

A tough gamble

With such high uncertainty, it was a gamble for Gen.G coming into the new season. Even with an old school roster, the team was expected to finish in the top bracket or at least qualify for the playoffs. But the season has completely backfired, as they are sitting at an 8th place with no chance to make it to the next stage. After playing 14 games, they have 10 and won only 4. Ruler and Peanut have proven why they don’t deserve to compete in the next season. They have completely made a mess of the team and have been evidently outplayed and we really don’t fancy their chances against an equally struggling Afreeca Freecs.

Afreeca Freecs

From a team that managed to secure a ticket to Worlds and now missing out on the playoffs, Afreeca Freecs is in a rollercoaster ride. They have a very frustrating season, which sees the team sitting at 7th spot, losing 10 out of the 15 games played in the season so far. This decline in performances can be attributed to the preseason roster changes which saw their star ADC, Park ” TusiN ” Jong-ik, their talented support, Ha ” KKramer ” Jong-hun, jungler, Lee ” Mowgli ” Jae -ha and lastly the mid-laner Read ” Kuro ” Seo-haeng leaving the team.

The stars remain

However, the team managed to keep their supposedly, star players, Spirit and Kinn. There were some questions raised by the critics to why the top laner Kiin is still in the team, who had a very poor showing at the 2018 Worlds, but the side still relied on him for 2019 campaign and honestly, he is still the best player of the team. The prodigy of KT Rolster,  Ucal also failed to shine for one of the rising teams of the region. These signings might have looked good on paper, but couldn’t find the needed synergy.

The fall of the Afreeca Freecs can be attributed to the failure of comprehending the Meta. After their embarrassing, 3-0 defeat to NA’s Cloud9, the team was hoped to find its way in 2019. One of the biggest shockers of the season is the decline of their ADC, Aiming. Aiming was trusted to fill the void left by KKramer, but holding one of the worst KDA’s of the Spring Split, shows that it was necessary for Afreeca to make changes to its lineup after the season ends.

Final Verdict

Even though Afreeca has been completely destroyed this season, we still believe the team could come out on top in the future and even in this meeting against Gen.G. They have Kiin in there who is one of the most unpredictable players in the league. In the next match, they could get him his Jayce who might not be big in the meta but in the right hands could get the team victory.

The fact that both teams are struggling and a win for either side won’t matter much in the current standings means no team in this encounter will be motivated. However, we do believe that Afreeca can fight for their right to just finish ahead of the Gen.G. Aiming and Kiin will need to come out one more time to find the form both players lacked throughout the season for this one game.

Afreeca Freecs 2-0 Gen.G

Odds on bookmakers

Bookmakers	Afreeca Freecs Odds		Gen.G Odds
	European	American	European	American
GG.bet	1.67	-149.25	2.10	+110.00
Bet365	1.70	-143.00	2.00	+100.00
Betway	1.65	-153.85	2.10	+110.00