FunPlus Phoenix vs LGD Gaming Prediction: Favorite to win

On Friday, November 18, the playoff stage of the traditional Chinese LoL preseason tournament NEST 2022 will begin, with a prize pool of $92,000. FunPlus Phoenix and LGD Gaming will face each other in the first quarterfinal matchup. The game is scheduled to start at 08:00.

FunPlus Phoenix regularly participates in the NEST preseason tournament, but never made it to the top three. The reason is that the NEST Tournament is the first competition of the new season and the top LPL teams often send their youth squads to play in it, since the active stage of the transfer market has just begun. But now the team FunPlus Phoenix is more motivated, because the entire last season 2022 team failed, taking a maximum of 7-8 place in the LPL.

Moreover, after analyzing the international news feed around this tournament, FunPlus Phoenix is called the main favorite to win the trophy. In the group stage, Phoenix defeated ThunderTalk Gaming (2-0) and drew with Top Esports (1-1). The former play the core in this tournament, but the latter play the young talents, so the lost map is surprising, although it did not affect the playoffs in any way.

LGD Gaming is another team that plays in this tournament not with the youth squad, but tries out their core. It is worth realizing that the team completely failed last season, not making a single playoff appearance in the LPL. There were a few substitutions made in June, but they don't make the team much stronger. The only reason we're seeing LGD Gaming in the NEST 2022 playoffs stage right now is because Royal Never Give Up (1-1) and EDward Gaming (1-1) produced all-youth stacks against them, which the LGD Gaming team played to a draw. Another wake-up call for fans who shouldn't expect good results in the upcoming 2023 Spring Split either. It's hard to imagine this team in the semifinals.

FunPlus Phoenix and LGD Gaming are teams of different levels. If LGD Gaming against the youngsters can't win, then with FunPlus Phoenix aiming to victory, it will be even harder to clinch even one map.

Handicap FunPlus Phoenix (-1.5) for 2.20 at Bet365;

1st Map FunPlus Phoenix Frags Handicap (-6.5) for 1.832 at 1xbet;

W FunPlus Phoenix for 1.35 at Betway.