FunPlus Phoenix vs. Top Esports: Demacia Cup betting analysis

William Davis Published 23/12/2020

Demacia Cup 2020 is heading into its playoffs stage, starting out with FunPlus Phoenix and Top Esports clashing in the quarterfinals.

The former world champions from FPX will play their first best-of-five in months against the defending LPL champions from Top Esports, who recently made it all the way to the semifinals at the 2020 World Championship. FPX wasn’t present at Worlds to defend its title from 2019, so the Demacia Cup represents great opportunity for redemption.

FPX has already played four matches in the event, after topping group A against OMG, Rogue Warriors, Shu Dai Xiong Gaming, and HMG. The star-studded roster only lost a single game in the group stage, which was against OMG. FPX will now enter the playoffs warmed up and with some momentum to play off of. FPX will have to stay focused though, as all the top LPL teams are waiting in the playoffs.

Top Esports is one of the lucky teams who got a direct spot in the Demacia Cup playoffs. The LPL champions haven’t played a match since they were knocked out of Worlds by Suning in the semifinals, so it’s likely that the team may not play up to its full potential. With that said, star players including mid laner Zhuo “knight” Ding and jungler Hung “Karsa” Hao-Hsuan can always pull out some great performances, especially in the bloody preseason meta.

Doinb and Tian face off with knight and Karsa in Demacia Cup

The matchup will likely be heavily focused on the mid and jungle positions, where both teams have great strengths to utilize. The deadly Top Esports duo of Karsa and knight will likely be the aggressors, while FPX mid laner Kim “Doinb” Tae-sang and jungler Gao “Tian” Tian-Liang will look to punish any mistakes in this Demacia Cup tilt.

FPX might also pull out some funky team compositions, as the preseason is still very new and there might be some hidden strong picks available. Doinb is known for playing off-meta champions, and to take down a team like Top Esports, this might be the time to surprise.

Unfortunately for FPX, they won’t be able to field the newly signed top laner Jang “Nuguri” Ha-gwon. The former DAMWON player and defending world champion could have been the player to help FPX pull an upset, but he will have to watch from home. Instead, FPX will be using Ping “Xiaolaohu” Xiao-Hu, who will likely have a hard time in his stead.

Knight and Karsa

FPX are underdogs against Top Esports at Demacia Cup

The former world champions will enter the match as the clear underdog when facing Top Esports who recently made a deep run at the 2020 World Championship. Top Esports is on paper one of the most individually talented teams in the world and FPX will likely have a hard time keeping up in this fast meta.

A win for Top Esports only gives odds 1.32 while a win for FPX gives odds 3.10. FPX will therefore have to bring their absolute A-game to win a long best-of-five against the defending LPL champions in the Demacia Cup.