Best Games For Over 2.5 Goals in Friday’s Action – 14/5/21

The first game on this list of most likely matches to have over 2.5 goals in it comes from the MLS, where DC United host Chicago Fire at Audi Field in what is a battle of 11th against 13th in the Eastern Conference.

DC come into this match with just one win in four matches, winning their opening game of the season against New York City 2-1 Brendan Hines-Ike and Russell Canouse. Since then, they have lost to the likes of New England 1-0, San Jose Earthquakes 4-1 and Columbus Crew 3-1, meaning that the over 2.5 goals market has landed three times.

The Fire have somehow managed to be in worse form than the hosts, as their 2-2 draw against New England on the opening day has set the tone for their campaign. Chicago took the lead in this match with fifth and 11th-minute strikes from Robert Beric and Luka Stojanovic, but conceded two goals before the half-hour mark.

Raphael Wicky’s side have since suffered 3-1, and two 2-0 defeats against Atalanta United, New York Red Bulls and Philadelphia Union, meaning that two of Chicago’s opening four matches have yielded over 2.5 goals.

Both of these sides have the second-worst defensive records in the Eastern Conference, conceding nine goals in just four games.

The next game on this list comes from the Chinese Super League, as seventh-placed Guangzhou City face 14th in the table Cangzhou Mighty Lions at Yuexiushan Stadium.

City come into this match with seven points from four games, having drawn 2-2 with city rivals Guangzhou FC 2-2 on the opening day, before recording back-to-back victories against Chongqing Liangjiang and Qingdao, before losing 4-2 to Shenzhen, meaning that they have been involved in three matches that have yielded over 2.5 goals.

The visitors Cangzhou have picked up just two points from their opening four fixtures, having drawn 2-2 and 0-0 with the likes of Chongqing and Henan, whilst losing 2-1 and 2-0 either side of these draws to Qingdao and Guangzhou FC.

Friday night sees newly crowned Premier League champions Manchester City take on Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

Steve Bruce’s side guaranteed safety via their 4-2 victory over Leicester City last Friday thanks to goals by Joe Willock, Paul Dummett and a Callum Wilson brace. The Magpies win at The King Power Stadium means that three of their last five matches have also involved over 2.5 goals in 2-1 and 3-2 victories against Burnley and West Ham United.

Meanwhile, City come into this game on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea, where second-half goals from Hakim Ziyech and Marcos Alonso condemned Pep Guardiola’s side to their fifth league defeat of the season. The Citizens only other game that has yielded over 2.5 goals in their last five matches was in their 2-1 away win at PSG thanks to strikes from Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez.

City have the best attack in the Premier League, scoring 72 goals, whilst Newcastle have the fifth-worst defence in the Premier League, conceding 58 times in 35 matches.

Spanish Segunda league leaders Espanyol take on FC Cartagena at the RCDE Stadium, knowing that a win would put them on the verge of becoming champions, having earned promotion last time out against Real Zaragoza.

Three of Espanyol’s last five matches have seen the over 2.5 goals market land, in 2-1, 4-0 and 3-0 victories against Leganes, Las Palmas and Malaga. Whilst 16th placed Cartagena who are just one point above the relegation zone have seen just one match yield over 2.5 goals in a narrow 2-1 defeat away at Fuenlabrada earlier this month.

The last meeting between these two sides also saw over 2.5 goals, as Espanyol ran out as 3-1 winners at Municipal Stadium Cartagonova thanks to a late rally which saw three goals scored in the last 15 minutes of the game from Nico Melamed, Raul de Tomas and Javi Puado.

Espanyol have scored 66 goals in 38 matches this season, whilst Cartagena have leaked 47, which is the third-most of any team in the Segunda division. Raul de Tomas is also currently leading the race for the Golden Boot, with 22 league goals to his name this campaign.

The final game on this list comes from the Czech Liga, where sixth in the table Slovan Liberec host relegation battling Zbrojovka Brno, in a match that could mathematically relegate the away side if results go against them.

Liberec’s last two matches have landed in the over 2.5 goals market, in a 2-2 draw against Sparta Praha, which saw Jakub Pesek put them two goals ahead after 50 minutes before strikes from David Moberg Karlsson and Adam Hlozek levelled out the score. Liberec lost 3-0 to Bohemians last time out.

Meanwhile, three of Brno’s last five games have seen over 2.5 goals in them in three defeats to Pardubice 2-1, Slovacko 4-2 and Mlada Boleslav.

The last time these two sides met in the league was back in January, where Slovan comfortably beat Zbrojovka 3-0 at City Football Stadium Srbská, where Jhon Mosquera, Michael Rabusic and Pesek all got on the scoresheet.