Golden Guardians vs CLG

For our first match of the day, we have a fairly interesting clash between the Golden Guardians and Counter Logic Gaming. Now, on paper, there's not a lot to like about this one. It's, frankly, a fight between two mid-tier teams (at best). If you're looking for the best and cleanest League, you'd best look elsewhere.

Still, there's a reason to tune in, even though the game itself might not impress us in all the right ways.

Counter Logic Gaming is by no means a top-tier behemoth. In fact, it's fair to characterize this line-up as a bottom tier dweller (yet again). They fail to impress on any level, and with an underwhelming line-up (that's devoid of any concrete potential), it's impossible to predict any semblance of success. That's Counter Logic Gaming in a nutshell, really. The first time they stepped foot "on stage" to compete in the Summer Split, they were beaten and outclassed beyond reason by the likes of Evil Geniuses. In fact, it was a perfect game, and it came on the first day of the split in the form of a sub 25-minute beatdown.

The fact that they were able to bounce back and get the win over Immortals just a day later is an impressive turnaround, further highlighted when you take into consideration the fashion in which they were demolished mere hours prior.

So, frankly speaking, you shouldn't tune in because of Counter Logic Gaming. Odds are, they're not going to impress in any which way. The Golden Guardians, however, will.

Everyone's dying to find out more about this fascinating five-man line-up. There are so many burning questions in the air regarding their overall strength and potential. With Damonte on board, GGS look like a completely reinvigorated team; they look like they actually have a shot at reaching Top 4 -- should they synergize and get on the same page in time. The thing is, they echo a lot of what made Clutch Gaming so great a year ago. They're unrelenting in nature, aggressive, mechanically gifted, and are always willing to experiment and risk it all on a coin toss. We're talking about invaluable traits that are shared by the likes of Cloud9 and even G2 Esports. Now, of course, GGS is by no means on equal footing, but they have a bit of that DNA, and that could make the biggest difference once all is said and done.

They went blow for blow with a game Team Liquid and then outclassed Dignitas just a day later. They looked fantastic in both victory and defeat, and there's no telling how high they could climb over the coming months. They might not be a competitive League behemoth, but they're a dangerous dark horse and will certainly challenge anyone put in front of them. With such a bravado-fuelled style of play, their games are bound to entertain -- even against a team like Counter Logic Gaming. The boys in black and blue might not be particularly good at League of Legends right now (at least not in this incarnation) but they're not the kind of team that'll decline a good ol' mid lane skirmish.

Either way, expect a hectic, action-packed game that should, by all means, end in GGS' favor.