LCK Cup 2026 Playoffs Match Preview: A Battle To Keep Hopes Alive
DRX and DN SOOPers were the surprise of the LCK Cup Play-Ins. Many expected KT Rolster and Nongshim Redforce to make the Playoffs. However, that was not the case. Now both teams face off in the Lower Bracket of the LCK Cup Playoffs. For one of these teams, it will be the end of their journey. For the other, they have another chance against Dplus KIA tomorrow.
Recent LCK Cup Match History
DN SOOPers played against each other once during the LCK Cup Group Battle. At the time, DNS reigned supreme with a 2-1 series victory. The series was close and could have gone in either team’s favor.
Allowing Andil to Thrive
For DRX’s previous series, a talking point was the champions that Andil played. In their series against Dplus KIA, he looked most comfortable on the melee supports. Win percentages might not always be the best way to identify strengths, but they are pertinent here.
Andil does not have a melee support with a win rate lower than a 50% so far in the LCK Cup. His best is Nautilus, at 80%. Bard has been his best ranged support, but teams have tended to ban that against him in recent series. Securing comfort for Andil on the melee supports is pivotal to the success of DRX. Their losses against DK came when Andil played Lulu, Renata Glasc, and Karma. He does not look terrible on the champions, but he needs someone to lead the charge with.
DN SOOPers’ Consistency
The consistency of DNS continues to plague them. They need to find a way to improve in that aspect, especially during a best-of-five series. Dips in form during their series and even in specific games have cost them during the LCK Cup. They are a team that can contend with the best in the league. They narrowly lost out to FearX, a team that went on to defeat T1 in the following round. If they can stay consistent for a vast majority of the series, they can thrive. They might have more space to do so against a DRX team that plays better in the mid-late game.
Playing Around DuDu
A vast majority of DNS’s success has come through DuDu. He has had a resurgent year after dropping off in 2025. DuDu can contest some of the best top laners in the league. He earned a spot in the Total Apex Team of the Week for the first week of LCK Cup Playoffs. On the other hand, DRX will need to shut DuDu down. Whether that be in draft or in-game, he needs to be kept quiet. Rich is no slouch either, and can definitely contend with DuDu, but he needs the resources to do so.
DN SOOPers Versus DRX Prediction
DN SOOPers 3-2 DRX
The series can go either way. However, it should remain close throughout. Neither team has a significant edge over the other in overall play. If one of the teams fails to show up tomorrow, they could be in trouble. Both have had series where they missed the mark entirely. With their LCK Cup lives on the line, it is unlikely that either will drop in performance.
The Winner Faces Dplus KIA
The winner of tomorrow’s series will keep their hopes alive of qualifying for First Stand. However, they will have a long journey ahead of them. First, they will face Dplus KIA, followed by T1 if they win that series. All of that is to advance to the Lower Bracket Final. The loser of the series is out of the competition. They will only return to LCK action in April this year, after First Stand completes.
More LCK Articles
To see last week’s previews, have a look at the articles below.
