TSM vs. Team Liquid: 2021 LCS Summer betting analysis

The fourth week of the 2021 LCS Summer Split will have an important match between the two top teams, TSM and Team Liquid. 

It will be a big match for both teams when TSM and Liquid clash for the second time this summer split. The two teams met each other back in week 1 when TSM ran away with the victory. Since then, TSM has only improved and is currently in sole possession of first place. Liquid on the other hand is tied at third but will enter this week with some crucial changes to its roster. 

It was recently announced that former coach Joshua “Jatt” Leesman will no longer be a part of Liquid, making Jonas “Kold” Andersen the new head coach. Furthermore, Liquid will be playing with top laner Thomas “Jenkins” Tran and jungler Jonathan “Armao” Armao from its Academy team. This puts Liquid in a weird situation where a completely new iteration of the team has to work together to stay at the top of the standings. 

The many changes for Liquid put TSM in a favorable position, but also with all pressure on its shoulders. After the great start to the summer split, it’s expected that TSM will win a match like this and keep the momentum flowing. TSM will have advantages in all lanes on paper, but likely with mid laner Tristan “PowerOfEvil” Shrage in the spotlight again. So far, the German mid laner has been a rock for TSM and will need to continue that trend to extend the lead at the top of the standings. 

For Liquid, the squad will have to rely on the veteran forces in mid laner Nicolaj “Jensen” Jensen and support Jo “CoreJJ” Yong-in. With new younger players on the team, these two will have to set up the team for success. Liquid already performed well with this roster against Evil Geniuses in the first match of the week, coming out with a victory. 

Jungler Armao still has quite a lot of LCS experience, so his teamwork with Jensen and CoreJJ will be crucial. If the veterans of Liquid can set up players like Jekins or bot laner Edward “Tactical” Ra, then TSM might be in for a tougher match than expected. 

TSM vs. Team Liquid rosters

TSM roster: 

• Top – Heo “Huni” Seung-hoon
• Jungle – Mingyi “Spica” Lu
• Mid – Tristan “PowerOfEvil” Schrage
• Bot – Lawrence “Lost” Hui
• Support – Hu “SwordArt” Shuo-Chieh

Team Liquid roster: 

• Top – Thomas “Jenkins” Tran
• Jungle – Jonathan “Armao” Armao
• Mid – Nicolaj “Jensen” Jensen
• Bot – Edward “Tactical” Ra
• Support – Jo “CoreJJ” Yong-in

TSM expected to continue win streak against Team Liquid

As always, a match between TSM and Liquid is expected to be close and this game is no exception. Despite Liquid playing with Academy players in both top and jungle, bookmakers expect TSM to work for the victory. With recent form and the players on Summoner’s Rift, TSM should be the ones in charge of this match and will likely run away with yet another win. This is why the value on TSM looks great for this match, as it’s not expected that Jenkins or Amao from Liquid can keep up with the level of play TSM is currently showing.  

A win for TSM will give a solid odds of 1.77 this time around while a win for Liquid won’t give that much more with odds of 1.93. The odds from the bookmakers seem closer than expected, which should be good for TSM believers to take advantage of. 

The match between TSM and Liquid will take place on Sunday, June 28.