Fnatic vs exceL

What a truly fascinating match-up, one that is actually a lot harder to predict that it might seem at first glance. Fnatic are obviously the big favorites, but they're not all that much better than their forthcoming opponents -- assuming they're even better at all. The thing is, they have a tremendously high skill ceiling. Of that we're all aware, but their highs are nearly as consistent and, for a lack of a better phrase, "readily available." Fnatic can easily compete with the G2s of the world but only when the stars align, when they draft well, get their comfort picks, and don't stray too far from the beaten path.

That's a lot of "ifs," all things considered, and such a predicament may or may not end up hindering their chances at leaving a mark once everything is said and done. They're actually a fair bit worse than what was the case back in Spring and we, for one, do not understand why. They have all the potential in the world, all the right players and "weapons" and yet things simply haven't "clicked" -- despite them having more than enough time to get on the same page and perform as a coherent five-man unit.

That's perhaps their biggest issue, the fact that they're "all over the place" in regards to how they want to play the game and execute. Razork and Humanoid have very little synergy (if any at all) and it is precisely this deficiency that has caused them the most trouble. They're just not playing as a team, they engage and go for plays at totally different moments -- there's no follow-up, no greater plan in mind for them to execute and carry out. They're a bad match stylistically speaking and, well, that isn't going to change any time soon. For Fnatic to really stand a chance at competing (and, potentially, re-claiming the LEC throne), the team itself will need to change -- at least ever so slightly.

Razork is an incredible jungler but he's just not a good fit for the boys in black and orange -- and there's no shame in that. Fnatic would prosper a whole lot more if they had someone like Elyoya on the team but, alas, it just wasn't mean to be. Heck, they would've surely been more successful with Selfmade, too, which is (at the very least) quite ironic.

And so one cannot help but wonder: will they be able to shore up their most egregious flaws in time for it to matter? Will they finally get on the same page and deliver now that they've finally reached the postseason? They're already in the lower half of the playoffs bracket which means there's absolutely no room for error -- it's one strike and you're out. The same goes for EXCEL, too, but they don't have nearly as big of a burden on their shoulders.

Speaking of EXCEL, the fact that they've now made playoffs for two splits in a row is actually quite impressive, especially given their less-than-stellar history. They're a capable team with a fairly impressive skill ceiling, although we don't think they're talented and capable *enough* for it to matter against the stacked LEC pantheon. They're not on the same level as G2, MAD, and Rogue, and it still remains to be seen whether they're game enough to "tango" with the former "Kings of Europe." The odds are obviously stacked against them, so don't expect any miracles. They *have* been a fair bit more consistent than the boys in black and orange, but that probably won't make much of a difference if Fnatic come out the gates swinging.

In any case, we're wary of what might occur once these two teams step foot on stage to compete. They're so inconsistent, so volatile and yet so tremendously talented as well. A strange mix, all things considered. At their best they're rightful members of the LEC "pantheon." At their worst, they are nothing but feisty gatekeepers. They're like Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and you can never be too certain which "shade" will come out and compete.

In the end, we simply have to side with Fnatic. They're not *that* much better than EXCEL but there's still a slight gap between them, and it'll probably end up making a big enough difference once the going gets rough. A team with Upset and Hylissang has to be favored almost by default. There's really no other way to phrase it. They, too, have had their fair share of ups and downs, but have nonetheless been as clutch as humanly possible whenever the need arose.

With that being said, if there's one Best of 5 that stands a chance at going the distance, it's this one.