LCK 2026 Play-Ins HANJIN BRION Versus FearX Preview: Fighting For the Final Playoffs Spot
One final spot remains for the LCK Playoffs. Nongshim Redforce is out of the picture after they lost to FearX. HANJIN BRION and FearX will face off for the final playoff spot. BFX showed up better than many expected. They defeated Nongshim Redforce 3-1 to earn one more shot at the playoffs. BRO narrowly missed out on playoff qualification. They lost 3-2 to KT Rolster in a back-and-forth game five.
2026 Match History and LCK Records
HANJIN BRION and FearX have faced each other five times this year. BFX won the first and last two series. Every time BRO won, the series ended 2-0.
Both teams went 4-4 during Rounds 3-4, with neither finding consistency. BFX nearly finished above BRO in the standings, but they lost their final Regular Season match. BFX should have the momentum in the series, having won against NS, while BRO lost to KT.
Featured Matchup
Casting Versus Clear
Casting has secretly been one of the best top laners in the LCK. He can single-handedly take over games with his lane dominance and superior teamfighting. Clear can match Casting’s potential, but he rarely hits his peak. The last time we saw Clear reach those heights was during the LCK Cup. He has shown glimpses in recent months, but never the same level. For BFX to stand the best chance in the series, he will need to be on top of his game.
Will Momentum Play a Part?
BFX should have the momentum in the series. Having beaten NS convincingly, they should be high on confidence. BRO, on the other hand, had an agonizing loss to KT. The win was in their hands, but one misstep cost them their first opportunity to qualify for the playoffs. That could weigh heavily on the players as they go into the series.
If they are in similar situations in the future, will they freeze up? Will they question how to end the game? Teams have struggled with that before. BRO thrives in the early game. The bigger lead they accrue, the less they have to worry about the late game. BFX will look to scrap early. The team that wins the early skirmishes may run away with the series victory.
The Only Rise Team Left
Regardless of who wins the series tomorrow, only one Rise team will advance to the playoffs. The Rise teams tend to play differently. The gameplay is faster and looser. While the Legend Group bought into that playstyle, the top teams have returned to standard macro. One reason is Gen.G returning to the top. They will bring a different brand of League to the playoffs. That will give them a chance to be a surprise package in the top six. BRO leans more towards the macro playstyle, while BFX wants to skirmish early.
HANJIN BRION Versus FearX Prediction
HANJIN BRION 3-1 FearX
The similar playstyles between NS and BFX gave the latter leads. NS rarely gave up objectives. They wanted to fight their way out of deficits. That is why they lost game four in the way they did. BRO tends to play slow and manipulates the map when they fall behind. BFX should not be able to leverage their superior skirmishing power. Without that, BRO will have the advantage over BFX. BRO will lose if they struggle to recover from their loss to KT.
Playoffs Await
The winner of the series will join KT, T1, and Dplus KIA in Round 1. T1 will likely pick them as their opponents. The loser’s LCK year will end. They will still play at the Demacia Cup against other teams that do not qualify for the World Championship.
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