FunPlus Phoenix vs Top Esports

Finally, to close out the 2020 Mid-Season Cup, we have an absolute barnburner on our hands: FunPlus Phoenix vs. Top Esports. This, in many ways, is as premier a match-up as you can get right now. LPL titan against LPL titan, unparalleled strength and potential against mind-blowing mechanical prowess and a breadth of experience.

And it's a Best of 5, to boot. If the last two years weren't enough evidence, this inaugural Mid-Season Cup made it very clear (yet again) that China is the region to beat right now. They have the best players, the most capable coaching staffs, and more than just a couple of bafflingly talented behemoths all separated by the slimmest of margins. They're the ones who understand the current meta the best and whenever they step foot on stage to compete, fireworks are always guaranteed. You can also discern a couple of unique styles of play within the LPL even though -- on first glance -- it all just categorizes under "absolute chaos." Still, the best LPL teams know what they're doing and that's the biggest reason why they've been so successful over the last two and a half years.

They understand the minutiae, the fine details and layered plays that produce the best and most optimal results. To the untrained eye, to the uninitiated, their unhinged willingness to engage and fight no matter what might seem ludicrous, but there's a method to their madness, and watching them compete against someone of equal talent and strength is always a mind-blowing experience.

Such is the story of this Best of 5 as well. Top Esports nearly took down JD Gaming in the most recent 2020 LPL Spring Split finals. By all accounts, they're the second best team in China, and who knows -- maybe they would've gotten the nod had it been a Best of 5. FunPlus Phoenix, on the other hand, are the defending World Champions, and ever since they brought over Khan from T1, they've been looking better and better. One could argue that they've peaked performance-wise at the Mid-Season Cup, which is understandable seeing how they needed a bit of time to gel and synergize with a top laner who's vastly different to GimGoon. It took a while, but FunPlus looks downright staggering with their new imported top lane giant.

On the other hand, it's not like Top Esports looked much worse over the last three days. They're every bit as good as the defending World Champions, and it all boils down to preparation. Which team has more energy left, after playing so many games in quick succession? They've fought tirelessly against a wide variety of opponents, all unique and challenging in their own right.

Regardless, we're talking about two bona fide LPL titans here, and whenever that's the case, logic and reason often go out the window. There's very little rhyme or reason behind their performance, and they're no strangers to taking games off each other on a weekly basis. This is a Best of 5, and that certainly complicates things a whole lot more. The biggest and most important takeaway that's at our disposal is the fact that FPX already beat Top Esports in the group stage. Now, granted, that was just a single game, but in the absence of better and more recent statistics, we have to take what's at our disposal.

FunPlus Phoenix are also the more seasoned veterans. They know their way around a Best of 5 and they know how it feels to get showered in confetti. They know what they're up against and they know how to pace themselves should the match go the distance.

Still -- and this is an important caveat -- Top Esports are by no means an insignificant obstacle. They have all the right tools to get the win as well, so if you're looking for a safe bet, you're probably better off looking elsewhere.