The play-off picture in the League of Legends Champions Korea Summer season is beginning to take shape as Week 7 approaches.
With four weeks remaining in the regular season, things are beginning to get tight for a number of teams.
Griffin’s fall is the situation to watch this week, as this has really opened up the standings.
Griffin in a slump
Their slump has been by far the most surprising development of the past fortnight. They have now dropped their last three matches.
Despite putting new player Doran in the top lane, Griffin have been unable to find their footing following Rift Rivals, leaving them in fifth place currently at 7-4.
One of the sources of power for Griffin previously was the bottom-side pairing of Viper and Lehends, but recently these two have been unable to snowball an advantage and take home a victory.
This coming week is tricky for Griffin, too. First up they face a kt Rolster side who just upset Afreeca Freecs. Then they will play one of the matches of the week against SK telecom T1.
Jungler Tarzan will once again be tested, with his famous pathing and skill ceiling being watched more than ever.
Gen.G on a roll
In contrast, Gen.G have continued their ascent of the rankings and a four-game winning streak has pushed them onto 8-4.
Ever since Rift Rivals, Gen.G have seemingly been unstoppable, with every member of the team finally contributing to the team’s overall success.
Peanut’s transformation into one of the best junglers in the league has been massive for this squad, while there has been a maintained effort to give Fly comfort champions within the mid lane.
Perhaps overshadowed by the play of the others has been the return to brilliance of CuVee, who has done a fabulous job of performing well in lane and transitioning that either into pressure in a 1v1, or team-fight effectiveness.
Gen.G are firing on all cylinders but they face a massive test to kick off Week 7 when they match up against SK telecom T1, who themselves are owners of a five-game win streak. After SKT, Gen.G battle the aforementioned kt Rolster.
SANDBOX face huge clash
Following Week 6, SANDBOX are in sole possession of first place with a 9-3 record and this week they have just one match to focus on.
Despite lacking high-profile names, SANDBOX have been able to use their co-ordination and consistency to see off other squads who struggle to find a maintainable course to victory.
Summit continues to thrive within the top side, with jungler OnFleek regularly looking towards that lane in an attempt to snowball Summit. Ghost has also been a surprising X-factor given his previous issues under pressure.
SANDBOX have another must-watch match this week as they take on DAMWON Gaming, who currently sit second in the table. It could be split-defining.
Afreeca spinning their wheels
Afreeca Freecs (7-5) have been slowly treading water in the middle of the standings, and after a 1-1 week, that should have been a clean 2-0 on paper, they must now duke it out with third-placed KING-ZONE DragonX.
Without a doubt the strength of this squad continues to be the trio of Kiin, Dread and Ucal, with their combined mechanical abilities and co-ordination making them one of the most dynamic groupings in the league.
That is not to say Afreeca are being dragged down by their bottom lane, but they do, at times, come out flat.
One potential area of focus against KING-ZONE will be in the mid lane, where Afreeca could look to punish the potential skill difference between Ucal and Naehyun.
