Swiss Stage Day 1 Preview: All Teams and Fixtures

We kick off the 2024 Worlds Swiss Stage with some of the most exciting matchups. On day one, all sixteen teams are in action in eight games. The opening day brings excellent excitement, with all teams starting as equals.

It will be our first look at what we can expect from each team at Worlds. Play-Ins was a good taster, but it all changes now with the Swiss Stage. Draft priorities change, and the gameplay level increases as the competition quality increases.  This page will discuss each game for day one and give some insight, advice and tips.

Game 1 – BLG VS MDK 

The first game scheduled for the Swiss stage will see the LPL’s first seed, BLG, face off against the LEC’s third seed, MDK.

The Teams 

For BLG, it is the start of their Worlds event. Coming into the event as one of the favourites, it is easy to see why. They won the spring and summer split in the LPL and finished second in MSI 2024. Their roster is full of globally recognised names through the community. Top Laner Bin is often regarded as one of the best carry Top Laners. He has proved essential to BLG. He can win a lane by himself and create plays across the map. He is likely to be targeted with bans in champ select. However, Bot Lane duo Elk and ON are just as important. The BLG duo have recently been considered one of the strongest Bot Lanes. And if they are not managed correctly, they can take the game out of anyone’s reach.

MDK came through Play-Ins to make it here, and they did it convincingly. They made light work of the Play-Ins with a simple 2-0 record. MDK has not performed at previous international tournaments and has often let themselves down. They will be hoping for that to change here, but against such strong opposition, it is not the start they would be wanting. Any chance of success relies heavily on Jungler Elyoya. MDK laners are strong and confident but will need Elyoya to be the centre of playmaking. It will be necessary for every lane to be managed and not let any member of BLG get a lead.

Betting Tip 

Overall, it should be a straightforward BLG win. On GG.Bet, BLG are currently at odds of 1/16 to win the match, whereas MDK is at odds of 6/1. BLG is easily the safe bet coming into this match. (Odds subject to change).

Game 2 – TES VS T1

Here, we have the number two seed from the LPL and the number four seed from the LCK. It is worth remembering that T1 are the current holder of the World Championship after their triumph in 2023.

The Teams 

TES has had a consistent year. After missing out on Worlds in 2023, they returned for 2024 and will be ready to cement their place amongst the best. As for international performances, 2024 has been mixed for TES. It would have been a disappointing MSI with a fifth-place finish, but it was a much improved Esports World Cup, where they finished second. However, that loss in the final was against T1. In 2024, TES added Top-Laner 369 to their roster. He has proved a fantastic addition and helped this team improve. Through this event, a long-time TES player and former Worlds winner, JackeyLove, will also prove vital for any success.

Since winning the Worlds in 2023, T1 has experienced many ups and downs. They won the Esports World Cup but then failed to impress by their standards at MSI and during the regional seasons in the LCK. We nearly had a Worlds event without T1. They narrowly beat KT Rolster in a playoff series. As usual, Faker will be pivotal to this team. He will be the player the team looks to for leadership and inspiration. Last year, we saw Top Laner Zeus step up and take home the MVP award, and he will be aiming for those levels again. The Jungler Oner is always looking for an opportunity to create a play, and plays carry picks incredibly well. His influence on the map could give T1 the edge in this match.

Betting Tip 

T1 is a slight favourite to win in this match. With odds of 25/32 compared to 100/107 for a TES win courtesy of GG.Bet (Odds subject to change). It is predicted to be a close game, but it is hard not to back T1. They have such a rich history and always find winning performances when needed. Their whole roster is current World Champions, so they should have the quality to get through this with a win.

Game 3 – GEN VS WBG

For our third game of the day, we have the LCK second seed vs the LPL fourth seed. Rewind a year, and we watched GEN being eliminated after high expectations and WBG in the Worlds final, taking on T1. A lot has changed in the year since.

The Teams 

GEN has had a successful year to date. Winning MSI and the LCK spring split has set them up well for Worlds this year. They are joint favourites to win the event with the same 53/50 odds as BLG on GG.Bet. (Odds subject to change). Chovy is recognised as the best mid-laner in the world alongside Faker. His playmaking and tactical decisions will be essential to GEN navigating tough draws. It is also worth mentioning that in 2024, they added Jungler Canyon to their roster. He is a former Worlds Champion and has brought the Nidalee pick back into pro play with his skill on this pick.

WBG has had a tough year. They missed out on MSI and the Esports World Cup and only made it to Worlds with a 3-2 victory over JDG. That win will boost confidence and morale, but overall, it has been a disappointing year to date. The Mid Lane and Bot Lane duo are the same as the 2023 event. It is encouraging they have kept a core part of the team together, as the dynamic between Mid and Bot Lane is essential. They also added experienced Jungler Tarzan to the roster. Last year, he was at Worlds with LNG and was lauded as one of the best junglers at the event.

Betting Tip 

GEN are heavy favourites for this match. They have current odds of 1/5 on GG.Bet for victory. Meanwhile, a WBG victory has odds of 14/5. (Odds subject to change) GEN is considered one of the world’s best teams right now, and it is clear to see why based on their recent success. Although WBG could cause issues here, GEN should be a safe bet.

Game 4 – FNC VS DK

The fourth game of the day will see FNC (Fnatic), the second-seed team from the LEC, play against DK (DAMWON), and the third-seed from the LCK.

The Teams

FNC has had the better domestic season, with regular high-placed finishes, but the competition is arguably lower quality. They achieved second place in their spring, summer and season finals across 2024. There was a disappointing MSI and Esports World Cup, twice being sent home by Team Liquid. They will be keen to improve internationally, and a win against DK would be a huge statement. If they have any chance of this, then jungler Razork must be at the top of his game. He is highly influential across the map. Often focusing more on the Bot Lane and trying to set them up for success.  We have seen previously that Top Laner Oscarinin can go up against the best and hold his own. This allows FNC to focus on shutting down the opposing bot lane, which they must do here.

DK had an excellent end to the LCK season. They qualified as the third seed, beating T1 in a playoff game. Worlds 2023 was a disappointing event by DK standards, and they failed to make it out of the Swiss Stage last time. Since then, their roster has been overhauled with a new Top Laner, Jungler, ADC and Support. Only Mid Laner Showmaker remains. A previous Worlds winner in 2020 with DK, he is the experienced winner of this team. Showmaker is one of the best Mid Laners in the world and can control a game. He will be crucial for DK to succeed, as will Aiming. Coming in and replacing Deft would always be challenging, but Aiming has had a great year and settled quickly.

Betting Tip 

As expected, DK is the heavy favourite to win this matchup. They have current odds of 4/13 on GG.Bet to win, whilst FNC is sitting on odds of 11/5. (Odds subject to change) DK is the safer bet here. FNC is unpredictable and could cause an upset, but DK should have the quality to ensure that does not happen.

Game 5 – TL VS LNG

In game five, the LCS second seed faces off against the LPL third seed. The difference in quality between the regions is so huge it is hard to see anything other than an LPL win.

The Teams 

Having made MSI earlier this year, it has been one of the more successful years for TL in recent history. Before this year, they had not made MSI since 2019, so it shows the recent upturn in their gameplay. They also made it to the Esports World Cup and played admirably, eventually losing 2-1 to T1 in a close series. They have shown they can beat teams from higher-ranked regions as they have twice sent FNC home from international tournaments this year. Mid-Laner APA is central to many of TLs’ good plays. The team must sometimes play around him and keep opposing teams from locking him down constantly.

LNG often hovers around the top four of the LPL; this is the second year they have made it to Worlds in a row. Last year, they were disappointed to have gone out at the quarter-final stage, but they hope to build on that this year. They have an experienced roster, with Mid Laner Scout having previously won the Worlds event and ADC Gala and being a two-time MSI champion. LNG can improve on last year if they perform at their best.

Betting Tip

The quality of LNG should be too much for TL to deal with. At present, LNG has odds of 5/14 on GG.Bet. And TL has much riskier odds of 19/10. (odds subject to change) LNG are clear favourites, and due to the skill gap, it is unlikely TL get a positive result here.

Game 6 – HLE VS PSG

Game six provides us with what is, on paper, one of the most one-sided matches possible: the LCK’s number one seed plays against the PCS’s first seed.

The Teams 

HLE ended the LCK summer split as champions of the region, beating GEN in the final and proving they are a team not to be underestimated coming into this event. Coming into 2024, they made massive changes to their team. They brought in a new Top Laner, Jungler, and Support. They were all from GEN, so they were used to being at the top and had proven quality. On top of this, the two members they kept from the previous roster have won Worlds. Jungler Peanut is one of the more experienced players on this roster and has won many titles throughout the year. He is one of the best Junglers in the game and will aim to add a Worlds title. HLE will heavily play through him and ADC Viper to get ahead in games and take control.

Coming through play-ins, PSG have already started their Worlds journey. They managed to knock out an LCS team along the way. PSG are often talked about as a dark horse or the surprise team that may be able to find some success. While their play-in matches did show their quality, they are up against it here. HLE is the third-best-ranked team in the world, and a positive result is unlikely. As it is a Bo1 (Best of), anything is possible. But their primary carry players, such as Maple and Woody, would need the games of their lives. They are a solid team, but this might be a step too far.

Betting Tip

The current odds on GG.Bet reflects the skill gap between these teams. HLE is currently 1/9 to win, and PSG is 9/2. (Odds subject to change.) HLE are the favourites to win. This should be one of the safest bets for day one.

Game 7 – FLY VS GAM

In game seven, we see the first matchup, which does not involve an LCK or LPL team. This is great as it gives someone from a lower region the chance to go 1-0 on the opening day. If an LCK or LPL team are involved, they are typically the favourites, as you may have noticed. Here, we have the LCS VS VCS.

The Teams 

FLY is the number one seed coming from the LCS. They have previously competed in MSI and the Esports World Cup this year. They will want to perform better here, as they were largely ineffective at both tournaments. Top Laner Bwipo has done well previously at Worlds; in 2018, he finished second with FNC. The team will be looking to him for calmness when it comes to the upcoming games.

GAM have a good balance of experience and fresh talent on their team. Jungler Levi had a brief stint in the LPL with one of the best teams in JDG. Top laner Kiaya has been with GAM for a long time and has been reliable for them, performing in big moments. Then they have Mid Laner Emo, the youngest on the roster. Through play-ins, he showed fearlessness and willingness to create plays and take risks. He was an excellent outlet for GAM to play around. Any chance of a positive result will surely come through Levi, ensuring Emo can get ahead and take over the game.

Betting Tips 

In terms of odds, GAM does not look like a promising bet. FLY are the clear favourites with 5/13 odds at present on GG.Bet. GAM has odds of 9/5. (Odds subject to change). The safe bet is to bet on FLY, but LCS teams have a history of losing to lower-ranked opposition, so if you are a fan of underdogs, then GAM is an excellent team to back for this one.

Game 8 – G2 VS PNG

Our final game features the most mismatched teams in terms of Global Power Rankings. G2 is ranked fifth in the world, whereas PNG is ranked forty-ninth. The LEC’s number one seed faces off against the sole representative of the CBLOL region.

The Teams 

As for regional results, 2024 could not have been a better year for G2. They took home the titles for winter, spring, summer and season finals. On the domestic stage, they have dominated, winning every possible title. They also performed well for MSI and the Esports World Cup, finishing fourth and third/fourth. During these tournaments, they had close games against T1 and TES, so there will be optimism for Worlds this year. Mid-Laner Caps will be their greatest outlet. He is considered the best Mid Laner out of the LCK and LPL, and he can even rival the players in those regions. He will be instrumental for G2 if they are to find any success.

For PNG, making it to the Swiss Stage is a great accomplishment. They were not tipped to make it this far, and the CBLOL region is the lowest-ranked region represented in the Swiss Stage. Their best chance of staying in the game is funnelling gold into Top Laner Wizer. Through play-ins, he was a standout performer for them and showed some great qualities through team fights and landing phases.

Betting Tips 

Of course, G2 is a heavy favourite coming into this. PNG causing an upset and surprising us is unlikely; the gap in quality between the regions and teams is simply too big. G2 would be a safe bet for this one. They currently have odds of 1/7 on GG.Bet, while PNG has odds of 15/4. (Odds subject to change). This should be a comfortable game for G2 and an excellent way to ease into the opening day.

Final Thoughts 

The opening day of Swiss Stage looks set to be full of entertainment, with many great matchups. Having discussed all eight games, you have some initial knowledge about how to bet if you are looking to bet on any games at this year’s Worlds.

Our Recommendations

At ESB, we only recommend sites with the best customer experience. Below is a list of sites we suggest checking out for League of Legends betting:

• GG.Bet
• Rivalry
• Bet365
• 1xBet
• Thunderpick
• BC.Game
• RooBet
• Stake.com