LoL Worlds 2024: New Year, Same Script

Round 4 of the Swiss stage at Worlds 2024 will end this Saturday. Only one of the 16 teams will claim the title of League of Legends Season 14 World Champion, and Sheep Esports is here every day with insights on the day's key matchups. Today, all eyes are on LEC second seed Fnatic (FNC) as they look to strike back against LPL fourth seed Weibo Gaming (WBG).

The last time these two teams met, Weibo sent Fnatic home in a close 2-1 series in Round 5 of Swiss. Now with seven out of ten players across both lineups remaining the same for the rematch, Fnatic look to return the favor and send Weibo packing. Doing so will be difficult as Fnatic's level of play has been abysmal so far, barely showing signs of life early game in their match against Dplus KIA. Their lack of confidence and consistency has been evident, with their only victory coming in a difficult match against GAM, one of the weakest opponents possible on paper. Their loss to Top Esports in their previous match was especially painful to watch. Fnatic’s gameplay became increasingly erratic as they attempted overly complicated strategies and even impossible plays. This allowed TES to secure an easy win without needing to exert much effort. Fnatic’s team members appear unsynchronized, having lost the cohesion that once defined them this season.

Despite these struggles, Fnatic still has hope in this best-of-three series, as it offers more room for error. With Weibo also grappling with difficulties, the odds are not entirely against them. Weibo’s journey through Worlds has been similarly challenging. They faced Gen.G, Team Liquid, and G2 Esports, managing only a single victory against the North American team. Weibo have struggled with their drafts, a weakness made clear in their match against G2. The shift in the meta since the Summer split has affected them, especially Li "Xiaohu" Yuan-Hao's inability to play ADC midlane champions as effectively as before, which has weakened their performance.

Weibo’s issues extend beyond drafts. They often find themselves out of position on the map, making it easier for their opponents to capitalize on mistakes. However, despite these flaws, WBG remains a strong force in the laning phase, and their clutch potential across nearly every role still surpasses that of Fnatic. Both teams face significant challenges, but this match will test their resilience and adaptability under pressure.

Since their last encounter a year ago, seven players remain on both teams, but key changes have occurred. Superstar top laner Kang "TheShy" Seung-lok left Weibo after Worlds 2023 and Chen "Breathe" Chen has stepped in to fill the vacancy. In the jungle, Lee "Tarzan" Seung-yong joined after the spring split this year. On the Fnatic side, Yoon "Jun" Se-jun is the only new player, replacing Trymbi in the support role. Marek "Humanoid" Brázda and Oh "Noah" Hyeon-taek, will be eager for redemption, have historically struggled against lane counterparts Xiaohu and Wang "Light" Guang-Yu. For Noah especially, this match will be a testament to whether Noah has been able to overcome the psychological barriers he has previously spoken out about.

In the mid lane, both Humanoid and Xiaohu are seasoned veterans who have faced challenges lately. Humanoid is expected to have a slight edge with mage champions, and there’s hope he’ll showcase more of his carry potential with aggressive picks like Leblanc. However, the jungle matchup is what truly captures the spotlight. Iván "Razork" Martín Díaz, Fnatic’s captain, is playing for his entire year at Worlds. With Fnatic consistently falling short domestically for years, Worlds represents a chance for redemption. Razork will need to lead his team through adversity, with Tarzan, who he last faced at Worlds against LNG, being his biggest challenge. Tarzan, while not as flashy as in past seasons, remains a dangerous threat, especially in setting the early tempo — a strategy both teams are likely to pursue. This duel in the jungle promises to be an intense, aggressive battle unless the pressure of elimination forces both teams into a more reserved playstyle.

Despite being a team with apparent weaknesses to exploit, WBG managed to carve a path to last year's Grand Finals by clawing through NRG and BLG in the knockout stage. Given Fnatic's recent struggles, WBG come into this match as the favorite to win. However, with backs against the wall and their tournament lives on the line, only time will tell which team will prevail on the day. Catch all the action this Saturday at 2pm CET.