This article is part of our DraftKings League of Legends series.
DraftKings LoL: IEM Oakland Semifinals
After two easy sweeps by Longzhu and Unicorns of Love in the quarterfinals, things should get a bit closer on Sunday. Longzhu take on the "Korean Slayers" Flash Wolves and Team SoloMid take on UoL in the first semifinal of the day. UoL played well yesterday and have an excellent run of form dating back to the European gauntlet for World's qualification. TSM present a much more difficult task, and while the North American side will be expected to win, a UoL upset could be in the cards. Meanwhile on the other side, Longzhu won despite playing sloppily against the Chiefs in the quarterfinals, a playstyle that could be punished against a better Flash Wolves side. Flash Wolves are playing with two new lineup members, but I have them more likely to win this series than their prices reflect.
Top Lane: Expession (LZ vs. FW, $6,600)
The one area I'd be pretty confident in Longzhu winning is in the top lane. With Flash Wolves using a new player in the top lane for IEM, Expession should be able to feast in lane and create an advantage for Longzhu. He proved yesterday how good he is at teamfighting and with a Longzhu team that loves to scrap he should be involved in plenty of fights Sunday as well.
Jungle: Karsa (FW vs. LZ, $5,700)/Svenskeren (TSM vs. UoL, $6,500)
Chaser was dominant yesterday against the Chiefs, but Karsa has proven over time to be a very capable jungler on the international stage. Flash Wolves big three of Karsa, Maple, and SwordArt have enough experience to guide their newer members through a series win, punishing Longzhu for mistakes that the Chiefs just couldn't yesterday. Svenskeren played excellent League of Legends at Worlds despite TSM not making it out of their group. While I don't think TSM winning is a given, Svenskeren should be involved in plenty of the action if TSM hope to take out UoL.
Middle Lane: Bjergsen (TSM vs. UoL, $7,400) and Maple (FW vs. LZ, $6,600)
Bjergsen is the best player at this tournament, but isn't priced to a point where he shouldn't be used. Exileh has stepped up his game from the European playoffs on and has proved he can hold his own in the mid lane, but Bjergsen is too cheap for a player of his caliber and should show up big if TSM advance to the finals. Maple proved once again that he is a very underrated mid laner at Worlds 2016, out laning C9's Jensen twice with ease and taking out SKT in the group stages as well. Frozen died a ton in yesterday's series and with good coordination from Karsa, expect Maple to be receiving ganks regularly.
ADC: Fury (LZ vs. FW, $7,300)
While I think WildTurtle is a good play, I liked what I saw from Fury yesterday. He didn't fall victim to the chaos style Longzhu played around him, biding his time and kiting while staying safe in the back lines. With DoubleRed playing in his first international tournament, the bottom lane may be an area Longzhu look to take advantage of.
Support: BioFrost (TSM vs. UoL, 5,600)
Biofrost is worth paying up for in a series that could end up being very scrappy. UoL love to fight but TSM should be above the European side on a skill level, leaving Biofrost with an opportunity to generate a ton of assists. The only concern is synergy with WildTurtle, but the duo have been playing a lot of games recently and should be relatively prepared coming into the tournament.
Team: FW vs. LZ ($4,300)
The Cheifs ended yesterday's series against Longzhu with 18 points, a pretty good showing despite getting swept. Flash Wolves are a much better team and should be able to generate more objective control while having an excellent chance to win this series and advance to the finals.
