It does not seem long ago that the World Championship drew to a close, but the action continues to come thick and fast courtesy of a number of regional events.
The latest event to unfold is the League of Legends National Electronic Sports Tournament - otherwise known as NEST - taking place in China.
The A-Tier event features 14 teams with a mix of League of Legends Pro League and League of Legends Development League rosters and has started with a group format.
There are two groups of four and two groups of three competing with the top two in each section set to advance to the playoffs, which are made up of quarter-finals, semi-finals, a Grand Final and even a third-place playoff.
Groups A and B have already concluded with Invictus Gaming, Bilibili Gaming, Oh My God and Team WE progressing and, on Tuesday, we will discover which teams will be joining them from Groups C and D.
Esports: CS:GO IEM Rio final preview
The event winners will take home ¥670,000 in prize money.
| What | LGD Gaming vs Royal Never Give Up, LOL NEST |
| Where | China |
| When | 06.00am, Tuesday 15th November |
| How to watch | Huya |
| Odds | LGD Gaming -3300, Royal Never Give Up +900 |
In Group C of the League of Legends NEST 2022, Edward Gaming have already progressed to the knockout stage with one win and one tie to their name.
That leaves LGD Gaming and Royal Never Give Up competing for the second knockout berth and the odds suggest it will be a one-sided affair.
For punters unfamiliar with NEST 2022, it is worth noting a lot of teams will be playing with different rosters, likely featuring development players, so they should not be drawn in simply by big names such as Royal Never Give Up.
Indeed, Royal Never Give Up were comfortably beaten 2-0 by Edward Gaming in their only group game so far, whereas LGD Gaming managed to hold Edward Gaming to a 1-1 tie and are consequently -3300 to win their final group game.
There is obviously no value in backing a straight win and the best betting approach to this contest could be to back LGD Gaming at -1.5 on the match handicap at -275.
They had a tough time of it at the LPL Summer 2022, winning only four of their 16 matches in the regular season, but the roster changes from other teams makes for a more even playing field in NEST and they can gain a confidence boost with victory.
| What | ThunderTalk Gaming vs FunPlus Phoenix |
| Where | China |
| When | 07.30am, Tuesday 15th November |
| How to watch | Huya |
| Odds | ThunderTalk Gaming +120, FunPlus Phoenix -163 |
ThunderTalk Gaming and FunPlus Phoenix are two of the big hitters at this year's NEST with both sides using their main rosters in the pre-season tournament and that makes for an open contest when they lock horns in Group D.
Top Esports have already played both of their matches in Group D, picking up a draw and a defeat from their two matches.
And it is ThunderTalk Gaming who lead the way in the section thanks to their win over Top Esports, whereas FunPlus Phoenix are second after their stalemate with the same side.
Ultimately, it is all to play for going into this contest with FunPlus Phoenix slightly favoured at -163.
And that looks about right with FunPlus Phoenix having been considered one of the most likely title contenders coming into the event.
Mid laner Yang "Care" Jie has averaged an impressive 3.09 kills, 2.48 deaths and 5.82 assists in 2022, giving him a KDA of 3.59, while the team also have a couple of breakthrough stars in their ranks, most notably top laner Park "Summit" Woo-tae.
This will be one of the most intriguing match-ups yet in NEST 2022 and, while FunPlus Phoenix represent value to come out on top at -163, a bet on them to win the first map at -138 could also make appeal.
ThunderTalk Gaming are +120 to win this contest and are -300 in the double chance market - in other words to avoid defeat.
We use cookies to deliver a better and more personalised service. For more information, see our Cookie Policy
