2021 LoL Worlds: Play-in group stage preview and predictions

The 2021 League of Legends World Championship is just hours away. Twenty-two teams from multiple regions will be battling it out to be crowned world champion. While the main group stage does not kick off just yet, ten teams will be competing in the play-in stage. Here is esportsgg's preview for both play-in groups.

Worlds play-in could not get off to a better start with a matchup between the LPL and the LCK. Hanwha Life is the shock inclusion from the LCK after what was a lacklustre 2021 season. The team is being described as "Chovy and friends". The superstar midlaner is one of the best players in the world despite not being on the best of teams. On the other side of the matchup is LNG, another roster that is highlighted by another Griffin alumni in Tarzan. The explosive jungler is considered the best in his role so it is no surprise to see LNG qualify for this tournament.

If results go as expected, it'll be between the three emerging regions to battle it out for the last two spots. PEACE is in an interesting situation with the OCE side having to sub in EU veteran Vizicsasci. Despite having to field a substitute, PEACE will still be a favorite to finish in third. Infinity Esports is back at the Worlds stage and will be looking to make up for their poor showing at the MSI play-in.

Fans should expect this to be a very top-heavy group with both LNG and HLE sweeping the competition, going 5-0 and 4-1 respectively. That being said, there is always room for major upsets. In 2018, Infinity Esports took down LPL side EDG during the play-ins, proving anything is possible.

This is where things start to get interesting. For LCS side Cloud9, they avoided the major regions but in return got the hardest emerging region sides. Beyond Gaming had an excellent summer split, taking MSI semi-finalist PSG.Talon to five games on both occasions. If this is a signal of their strength, then Cloud9 and the rest of Group B need to buckle up.

Moving onto the emerging regions, DFM is a team to be feared and arguably one of the best play-in teams coming from an emerging region. DFM keeps teams on their toes and is always competitive. Having the ability to consistently scrim against Eastern teams has proven valuable. DFM plays at a much cleaner level compared to other teams and could be darkhorse to AQ.

It will be interesting to see who gets out of this group and in what order. If results go as expected then Cloud9 and Beyond Gaming should occupy first and second. However, this is one of the strongest groups in play-in history and every scenario is possible.

Worlds 2021 kicks off this Tuesday, October 5 as Hanwha Life Esports takes on LNG Esports in the opening game of Group A. To find out which teams will be competing at Worlds, please check out our team tracker page.

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