The LCS playoffs continue on April 6! TSM passed their first challenge by dismantling Echo Fox, but can they keep the momentum going now that Cloud9 stand in their way? We break down this Bo5 matchup in our LCS playoffs 2019 predictions!

TSM have certainly established themselves as one of the best teams in the region. Their individual skill is impressive, and they make full use of it by exerting a ton of pressure from the first minutes of the game. Unfortunately, they have a hard time managing their aggression, and it’s common to see them overextend and donate free kills to their opponents.

Cloud9 are much more well-rounded in comparison. Their roster is stacked with veteran talent, but it’s the way all these players come together that makes C9 stand out from other North American lineups. They’re also one of the best teams when it comes to coming up with creative drafts and developing solid game plans, which gives them a huge edge in a Bo5 setting.

TSM vs Cloud 9 Match Breakdown

Top Lane Matchup

Our TSM vs Cloud9 match breakdown starts with the top lane matchup. With a 3.0 KDA and 8.3 CS per minute, Broken Blade is the focal point of TSM’s roster. His combination of confidence, aggression, and instinctual game sense makes him quite dominant in carry matchups and splitpushing scenarios. Yet, his tendency to overstep his limits in lane turns him into a constant target for the enemy jungler.

Few LCS playoffs 2019 teams could punish this as well as Cloud9. Sporting a 3.4 KDA and 8.2 CS per minute, Licorice has the mechanics and the killer instinct to put even someone like Broken Blade on the back foot. He’s also not nearly as resource-hungry as his opponent, which gives C9 much more freedom in terms of how they want to approach the top lane.

VERDICT : C9 Licorice outclasses Broken Blade in the top lane matchup.

Jungle Matchup

A similar narrative takes place in the jungle. With a 3.6 KDA and 5.3 CS per minute, Akaadian is a daring playmaker that’s always looking for ways to shake things up in the early game. He can get carried away, though, and he frequently falls prey to his own overaggression.

Cloud9 don’t suffer from the same issue. Holding a 3.5 KDA and 5.2 CS per minute, Svenskeren is a battle-hardened veteran that knows exactly when (and where) he needs to be on the map. His mechanics aren’t too shabby either, so he will be able to match Akaadian in 1v1s and river skirmishes. If that wasn’t enough, Cloud9 have another LCS-level jungler on their bench. With a 4.0 KDA and 5.4 CS per minute, Blaber made a name for himself by being one of the most explosive junglers in the league. And while he isn’t as refined as Svenskeren, he can still see play in this LCS playoffs 2019 series.

VERDICT : C9 Svenskeren and Blaber take the lead in the jungle.

Mid Lane Matchup

The TSM vs Cloud9 mid lane tells a different narrative. Sporting a 5.8 KDA and 9.1 CS per minute, Bjergsen is the ace of Team SoloMid. His carry play is on point, but he can just as easily take over games on utility picks like Zilean and Lissandra. And when push comes to shove, few mid laners navigate late game teamfights as well as Bjergsen.

Nisqy pales in comparison. His 8.5 KDA and 8.4 CS per minute look great on paper, but a lot of it comes from C9 winning most of their regular season matches. If you look past the numbers, you’ll see a textbook example of a good-but-not-great mid laner that does well in lane and pulls his weight in teamfights. Granted, Nisqy tends to step up his game for the playoffs, but even if you account for this clutch factor, it’s hard to imagine him keeping up with Bjergsen.

VERDICT : TSM Bjergsen conquers the mid lane matchup.

Bot Lane Matchup

Things will be a lot closer in the bot lane. With a 5.6 KDA and 9.5 CS per minute, TSM Zven is a mechanical monster that always finds new ways to take over teamfights. Smoothie (3.6 KDA) is no pushover either. Not only is he excellent at working together with his AD carry in lane, but he’s one of the best supports when it comes to finding flanks and initiations in the late game.

Cloud9 have a similar bot lane on their side. Holding a 6.5 KDA and 8.9 CS per minute, Sneaky is a well-rounded teamfighter that routinely tops the damage charts in 5v5s. Meanwhile, Zeyzal (5.0 KDA) covers the playmaking aspect of the game by roaming and setting up his allies with teamfighting opportunities. Still, C9’s duo isn’t great at navigating the laning phase, which gives a slight edge to TSM.

VERDICT : TSM Zven and Smoothie take charge in the bot lane matchup.

TSM vs Cloud 9 Quarterfinals Prediction

Team SoloMid win most of their games through the top lane, yet that’s exactly where Cloud9 are at their strongest. On top of that, TSM don’t have the refinement or the strategic depth of their current opponents, and while there is a chance that Zven and Bjergsen break open the series, C9 are much better at working together as a team. Our prediction is a 3-2 victory for Cloud9!

You can bet on C9 winning the TSM vs Cloud9 series with a 3-2 score for odds of 4.20 at Betway.