FNC vs AST is actually a lot more interesting than it might seem at first glance; well, it’s still not a premier match-up or a game that’ll be long remembered and talked about, but a lopsided mismatch it certainly is not.
And that’s true for one reason and one reason only: Astralis have improved in a myriad of different ways and for that they deserve to be praised (and then some). We still don’t think they’ll make Top 6 once everything is said and done but they sure will try and they might even pull off a few upsets along the way.
The first two need no introduction — their names surely ring a bell if you’re a long-time LEC fan. JeongHoon, on other hand, was a complete anonymous and, fortunately, Astralis seems to have “struck gold.” He’s not the next CoreJJ, mind you, but a playmaker he obviously is.
His synergy with Xerxe is also quite surprising: they’re always moving in unison, impacting the map and setting up deep vision. It’s not something you’d expect from two players who’ve never played before under the same banner, to say nothing of the fact that they don’t even speak the same language.
They’re no longer playing like a bottom-dweller but instead a very capable (if fairly flawed) mid-tier contender. They already have about as many wins as they did back in Spring which speaks volumes about their ability to perform and compete.
And with wins over SK Gaming, Team BDS, and Misfits, they’re in prime position to challenge for that oh-so-important sixth playoff spot. Who would’ve thought!
FNC vs AST Predictions — Not on the Same Level
Fnatic, however, are in a league of their own. They’re still not as dangerous or cohesive as we thought they’d be, but they’re not half bad either. In time they will pose a threat to the LEC throne but right now, as things stand, they’re simply not ready.
Be that as it may, they’re still head and shoulders better than Astralis. They have more tools and weapons to work with and will surely get away with the win — even though it probably won’t be all that clean or commanding given their recent struggles.
