DRX vs. NS RedForce: 2021 LCK Spring Split betting analysis

The second week of the 2021 LCK Spring Split has an exciting match in store between DRX and NS RedForce. 

Both teams have started off their journey in the 2021 LCK season with a 1-1 scoreline after the first week of games. As two LCK underdogs, this game could give some great indication as to who has the most potential to create upsets against the top dogs in the LCK. For now, both teams look solid but with a lot of potential for improvement in the coming weeks. 

DRX entered the 2021 season with a lot of changes to its roster after saying goodbye to star mid laner Jeong “Chovy” Ji-hoon as well as to bot laner Kim “Deft” Hyuk-kyu. Despite the loss of two big names, DRX has built up a new and promising roster that might be able to excel in its performance. 

DRX started out the season against Afreeca Freecs in a rematch from the 2020 KeSPA Cup. Just as in the KeSPA Cup, DRX came out victorious and is starting to look promising against some big names already. DRX followed up that performance with a close series against Hanwha Life but fell short over three games. Even though DRX lost the series, the team did show that they can compete with former teammates Chovy and Deft. 

NS RedForce also started out its season with a solid victory. The team took down Liiv SANDBOX over three games but then ran into the defending world champions from DWG KIA in the next game. For this match, NS RedForce didn’t stand a chance and had to head home with a 0-2 defeat. 

As both teams are heading into this match with a recent loss, it will be crucial to bounce back and get off to a good start. On paper, both teams are very close to each other, so momentum and confidence will likely have a lot to say about the outcome. It will also be a matter of drafting to see which team ends up with the strongest and most comfortable picks. 

A key matchup will likely be in the jungle, where DRX’s Hong “Pyosik” Chang-hyeon is looking to carry his team once again. So far, Pyosik has lived up to his responsibility as the last-standing member of the 2020 squad and he will need to continue that form versus NS RedForce. 

Standing in his way is former T1 jungler Han “Peanut” Wang-ho, who is pivotal for his team. Peanut is by far the most experienced player on his team and will look to make all of his lanes better. Both junglers have an aggressive playstyle and aren’t afraid to be the main carry. Whoever gets going of the two could decide the series.

DRX vs. NS RedForce rosters: 

DRX: 

• Top – Hwang “Kingen” Seong-hoon / Yoon “Destroy” Jeong-min
• Jungle – Hong “Pyosik” Chang-hyeon
• Mid – Song “SOLKA” Su-hyeong
• Bot – Jeong “BAO” Hyeon-woo
• Support – Son “Becca” Min-woo

NS RedForce: 

• Top – Lee “Rich” Jae-won
• Jungle – Han “Peanut” Wang-ho / Lee “Juhan” Ju-han
• Mid – Park “Bay” Jun-byeong
• Bot – Seo “deokdam” Dae-gil / Hwang “Wayne” Seo-hyeon
• Support – Kim “Kellin” Hyeong-gyu

NS RedForce head in as favorites against DRX

Two young rosters are often hard to predict and that’s also the case for DRX and NS RedForce. With this much young talent on both sides, it’s hard to expect any consistency and it will therefore be up to whoever hits the day. 

The bookmakers agree that this could be a close match, but with NS RedForce listed as favorites. A win for NS RedForce gives odds 1.53 while it’s possible to catch an odds of 2.32 for believing in a DRX win. 

The match between DRX and NS RedForce kicks off on January 20.