There is something about rivalries that always brings out the best in teams. This was on full display earlier this split when North America’s longest standing rivals, Team SoloMid and Counter Logic Gaming played each other back in week three. During that first series the teams couldn’t have been in more different places, yet when the two met they played an incredibly close series.

This time, Team SoloMid will once again come in with a slight edge. Having just beaten the only team to hand them a loss this year in Cloud9, TSM are now the undisputed best team in North America. However, Counter Logic Gaming has had a strong several weeks — though they haven’t been tested by the league’s best teams yet.

For Counter Logic Gaming, who will come into this series as significant underdogs, the most likely strategy in the pick and bans will be to play a composition that plays the early game safe, capitalizing on their strong late-game shot calling. We have already seen a similar play style work well against TSM in game two of their series against FlyQuest in week 5.

Team SoloMid on the other hand, are probably best off putting Søren “Bjergsen” Bjerg in a place he can carry the early game from, allowing Kevin “Hauntzer” Yarnell and Jason “Wildturtle” Tran time to get off the ground and better develop their inventory. While he hasn’t exactly favored them this could be the perfect time for Bjergsen to return to some of the assassins he made his name on.

How to Watch

When: Saturday, March 4 at 6 p.m., Eastern

How: NALCS1 on Twitch or on lolesports.com