Jason Malmanger provides expert League of Leagues (LoL) DFS advice and analysis for DraftKings and FanDuel LEC LoL slates on 3/28/20. RotoBaller has you covered with the top picks and value plays to build winning LoL DFS rosters for cash games and GPPs.

Welcome to RotoBaller's league of legends DFS column. We'll be ramping up our analysis for LoL DFS this weekend, bringing you the insight you need to succeed. I'm here to help you out by breaking down these matchups and highlighting a few players to target from each one.

Today we shift gears a bit and focus on the LCS, which is the North American league. The LCS season is drawing to a close. Teams such as TSM and Flyquest will be looking to shore up their playoff positioning. Team Liquid on the other hand will be searching for a miracle to avoid becoming the first returning LCS champs to miss playoffs the next split. Remember these matches are single-game format. Anything can happen, think of it like the NCAA tournament vs the NBA playoffs when comparing it to the eastern leagues.

Today I'll be bringing you League of Legends advice, analysis, and picks, for the 5:00 PM LCS slate on Saturday afternoon, March 28th, 2020. Contests are being offered on FanDuel and Draftkings. I'll be using Draftkings pricing for the sake of keeping it simple.

League of Legends DFS Basics

We'll start with some general tips and tricks in case the Esports bug hasn't bitten you. As anyone who was around last weekend recalls, LCS teams do not always release starting lineups lock. Teams do have Twitter feeds, so I recommend following those leading up to lineup lock. I only listed players below who I believe will be playing.

1. Once a match starts, anything can happen. Usually, the better teams are very consistent. Be sure to check the player pool carefully and try to craft a roster of players who have been playing recently or do not have listed backups.
2. Stacking in LoL DFS lineups is very important. 4-3 stacks are the order of the day with 3-3-1 becoming more popular as people try to differentiate their lineups in these suddenly large-field GPPs.
3. In Lol DFS, it is essential to focus on players from winning teams. Think in terms of baseball, one side of the matchup is like a pitcher and the other side the batter. Meaning there is a very negative correlation between teams in the same match. Players score by accumulating kills, which costs the other side points in deaths. Just like earned runs, bring down your pitcher's score.
4. Along with this, another mistake I see beginners making is trusting average scoring. Players' scoring potential is only realized in games that are won. If player X averages 30 DKP, that likely comes from scoring 45 in a hotly contested win and 15 in a quick defeat. What this means is that someone who looks like a value at $4800 suddenly might not end up being such a great point-per-dollar play.
5. Finally, you're going to want to do your best you fill your captain slot with an ADC or MID. Depending on which teams and players you decide to stack, that might not be feasible. The order of preference for your captain slot is generally ADC, MID, JNG, TOP, SUP. Some players in some positions may stand out above the others, so consider stats like kill participation before you make your final decision.

LCS Matches

5:00 PM: 100 Thieves vs.Team Solo Mid

Perennial powerhouse TSM are looking to solidify their position as the second-best team in the league. Second place is significant to TSM as they would avoid facing Cloud 9 in the first round of the new-look playoff format. I like where the 100T have gone since their first encounter with TSM They two are headed to the playoffs if they play their weekend out correctly. In a best of one scenario, such as we have here, teams tend to become more risk-averse. I think this will favor TSM, who have more experience with Bjergsen and Kobbe, both able to be late-game carries for them. I expect this game to be on the slower side as neither team will look to risk losing. I don't know if TSM will pay off their prices in this game, possibly a spot to target only the team slot.

Bjergsen - MID ($8,000)

The star mid-laner is not the automatic win condition he once was. He is still above average in this league, and average is right where I'd rank Ryoma. Bjergsen has a 69.3% KP, which is good enough for third on the team. In a playoff-type atmosphere, you expect your top players to show up. I expect nothing less than that from Bjerg laster today.

Biofrost - SUP ($6,200)

One genuine advantage I think TSM has in this game is Biofrost. His counterpart on 100T Stunt is constantly stuck on guard duty, trying to shepherd Codysun into the late game. Kobbe needs no such babysitting, and that allows Bio to make plays elsewhere around the map. He is the leader on the team in KP% with 72% I wouldn't be surprised to see Bio play Rakan today. He is undefeated on the champion this spit. Rakan is not a great meta pick right now, but it allows him to showcase his playmaking.

5:50 PM: Cloud 9 vs. Evil Geniuses

Cloud 9 are the only team to secure their playoff seed already in the LCS. Locked into the one seed has given them the freedom to do what they want the last two games. With Reapered as a coach, I don't see them going full clown fiesta like say G2 would. What I do expect them to do is limit test. They will look more like Invictus Gaming Saturday afternoon. They have picked Yasuo mid twice. Syndra has gone bot twice, and Licorice has gotten Kalista and Irrelia top. Picks like this show they are just trying to see what they can pull off and still win. Evil Geniuses are a steady, smart team that can take advantage of the situation. C9 remains the smart choice for any LCS build, but they will continue to be popular, and I question their motivation at this point in the season. This is a GPP target for me on both sides as I expect this game to hit the over.

Bang - ADC ($6,600)

Bang does not die. He leads the entire league in death percentage but in a good way. He is the lowest of anyone at 7.5%. He also leads the team in KP%, with 71.4%. If EG pulls off this upset, Bang will be a big reason why.

Sevenskeren - JNG ($5,600)

Two bonuses to this pick. He is the cheapest jungler on the slate, and as a former C9 member, he has some motivation to show them up. Sven is just behind Zeyzal, another C9 cast-off, in 3rd for KP% When the revenge narrative collides with the chance for a C9 letdown I say LET'S GO!

5:40 PM: Team Liquid vs. Flyquest

This whole split has been a frustrating one for team Liquid. First, they had to wait for Broxah; then they had to acclimate to Broxah, then Doublelift was sick, then Doublelift checked out, and now if Liquid doesn't go 2-0 they're out of spring playoffs. Flyquest, on the other hand, has been a pleasant surprise. FQ are currently caught up in the log jam of second-place teams. They need a win to keep pace and attempt to separate from the pack as no one wants to see C9 in round one of the playoffs. I think its best for everyone involved if Fly just put TL out of their misery here. TL just don't have it this split. They need time to regroup. There is merit to hedging this spot. I like the dog again here.

Solo - TOP ($5,600)

Solo has been serviceable since taking over for Viper in the top lane for Flyquest. FQ has looked top often this year regardless of who is prowling the lane. Small 2 game sample size, but Solo is 2nd on the team in KP%. Impact has been suspect, and I think its a good spot for FQ to target.

Santorin - ($6,200)

The veteran jungler has been performing well all split for this surprising team. He leads them in KP% and Broxah has looked shaky at times during his first LCS split.

6:30 PM: Golden Guardians vs. Counter Logic Gaming

A battle between two cellar dwellers. Not exactly what you would call a "hype" matchup. Neither of these teams have shown much to get excited about this split. Clg has looked better since the arrival of Pobelter. The Guardians have similarly looked better since promoting Huhi. CLG dropped a disappointing game to DIG to start last week, in which they tried some off-brand strategies. They rebounded nicely with a more standard comp vs C9 and looked good for much of the game. That's enough to put them over the top for me.

Wiggly - JNG ($6,600)

Can't go wrong with the fellow Minnesotan here. Wiggly has had some steady performances for this CLG squad. He leads the team in KP at 75.3%. He's been working well with his laners, and they should be able to come ahead vs this sub-par GGs squad.

Stixxay- ADC ($6,800)

The whole team is very tightly clustered with their kill participation numbers. Stixxay clocks in right behind wiggly at number 2 on the team with 75.2%. He is receiving 32% of the team's farm after 15 minutes. They are working on getting him fed, and that will help his fantasy output Saturday afternoon.

7:20 PM: Dignitas vs. Immortals 

Immortals have received a big boost in the bot lane since reuniting Apollo and Hakhuo. That coupled with Immortals slow and steady style, should be enough to overcome Dig on Saturday. They have better baron setups and vastly superior vision stats. Immortals are competent enough in the early game DIG don't have an advantage there either. It should be an easy if boring win. A safe floor, but not much upside

Xmithie - JNG ($6,400)

Xmithie is a very supportive jungler. Sticking to more reliable picks like the Jarvan, Trundle, and Sedjuani, I like him in his match vs. Akkadian. Akkadian likes to play carry type junglers like Gragas, Pantheon, and Elise. Xmithie is very steady in setting up his vision and his counter ganks. Plus, his preferred champions stand up nicely to any burst damage Akkaidian will bring to the table.

Apollo - ADC ($7,800)

Since being promoted from the Academy squad 3 weeks ago, Apollo leads the team in kill participation at 77.4%. He should be able to out farm, out damage, and out team-fight his counterpart Johnsun. Reuniting with Hakuho, who he played with before on Echo Fox, has proved fruitful and should be just enough of an advantage to pick up the win on Saturday.

Excitement for E-sports is in the air. DraftKings continues to put up some monster contest for the overnight LPL/LCK slates. The LEC finishes up its spring playoff push Saturday a.m. Saturday afternoon, the LCS returns. Sunday brings us a 300k guaranteed tournament for the LCS finale. Check back throughout the week as we'll publish more Esports League of Legends advice, analysis, and picks at RotoBaller.

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