Worlds is now right around the corner, with the groups being drawn and teams already beginning to hone their skills in Korean solo queue as well as scrimming against the best in the world.

What’s that? What can we expect from the teams attending the biggest League tournament of the year? Say no more, I’ve got you covered.

Group A

Korea’s Summer split champions, ROX Tigers were able to finally banish their finals demons to defeat KT in a series that was decided by 2hp on baron.

Although the series was close, it is difficult to argue that during the regular season the Tigers were the best team in Korea. Their team fighting and macro play is one of the cleanest in the world and it is hard to see Smeb and co not sealing first place in an easy group for the former Runners ups.

The battle for 2nd in the group will most likely be between the two western teams, NA’s MSI heroes CLG, against consecutive EU champions, G2.

It’s unlikely that G2 will fall into a slump like they did in MSI were they fell to every team except the Wildcard representative Supermassive.

If G2 can play like they did the whole split, comfortably showing why they are the best team in EU with the bot lane of Zven and Mithy leading the team, G2 is more than capable of reaching the Quarter Finals.

However, CLG feed off the tag of being labelled as the underdog, and their performance on the world stage where they beat World Champions – and lost to Wildcard team Supermassive- SKT is not to be scoffed at.

Although CLG’s inclusion in Worlds caused some controversy, CLG may remind NA and the rest of the world what they can do when underestimated.

International Wildcard team Albus Nox Luna is probably the weakest team attending the tournament this year, defeating Lyon Gaming 3-2 to earn their right to play amongst the best. However, it is unlikely they will go down with a fight, and so it is imperative that all teams treat any team attending Worlds with the respect they deserve.

Although it is likely that ROX and G2 will qualify, my faith in CLG has blinded me and I have to at least believe they can achieve 2nd in what will be an exciting group.

Group B

The main story line from this group comes from World Champions SKT1 and NA’s strongest 3rd seed ever in Cloud9.

C9’s Impact stole the show in the Playoffs and Gauntlet, with comparisons being made to his days in SKT as a world champion in Season 3.

Impact responded, stating that he is even better now at C9 than he was back then as a World beater, and so it was inevitable that the stars aligned to give us a group with Impact’s current and former team.

SKT, although not winning the domestic title, are clear favourites in the group, with their one of their main weaknesses being their lack of presence in the jungle, with both Blank and Bengi disappointing.

C9’s main focus will be for jungler Meteos to be able to assist the bot lane of Sneaky and Smoothie, as well as Jensen in being able to compete against players of the level of Faker, Bang and Wolf, while hoping that Impact can fend for himself against Duke.

C9 should be strong enough to secure 2nd place in the group, however it will be no easy task as LMS #1 seeds Flash Wolves will definitely be looking to prove themselves on the international stage.

LMS is always a mysterious region, with no one ever knowing what to expect from Taiwan. Flash Wolves will be looking to use that to their advantage, although it is unlikely that they will be able to topple Korean giants SKT, and will hope to take wins against C9 and Chinese 3rd seed I May.

I May have stated that their ambitions at worlds at to escape the group, however it’s looking almost impossible unless they are able to adapt quickly to the meta.

I May is one of the weaker teams at Worlds and will struggle to match their opponents on skill, and have to hope that their macro play is superior in order to have any chance of having a successful time.