The United States and Bosnia-Herzegovina meet in the round of 32 of the World Cup in Santa Clara in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The World Cup co-hosts enjoyed a strong group phase, scoring eight goals and beating Paraguay and Australia, to reach the knockout stages.
Bosnia-Herzegovina, appearing at their second World Cup, advanced after defeating Qatar 3-1 following an opening-game draw against Canada.
Both sides will be determined to reach the Last 16 of the competition, though the United States, with home advantage, are favourites.
United States v Bosnia-Herzegovina Tips Summary
Best Bet - USA to win @ 2/5
Alternative Bet - Both teams to score @ 11/10
Bet builder: Over 2.5 goals, Folarin Balogun anytime goalscorer & Over 9 corners @ 9/2
United States v Bosnia-Herzegovina Prediction
Best Bet: USA to win @ 2/5
The United States have impressed on home soil, flying into a 3-0 half-time lead against Paraguay and winning 4-1 in their opening Group D game before a convincing 2-0 victory over Australia.
The Stars and Stripes earned a first clean sheet in ten games against the Socceroos and will have taken great confidence to progress to the Round of 32.
A 3-2 defeat to Turkey in the third and final group game, after manager Mauricio Pochettino made nine changes, shouldn’t disrupt momentum, and the USA will fancy their chances against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The Dragons, who had drawn five straight matches in ninety minutes heading into the tournament, held Canada before shipping four to lose 4-1 against Switzerland.
Sergej Barbarez's men bounced back to beat Qatar to finish as one of the best third-placed teams, but the USA will prove a much tougher test.
While it will be a difficult match for the co-hosts, home support will give Pochettino’s side the edge and they should win to reach the Round of 16.
Alternative Bet: Both teams to score @ 11/10
The USA kept Australia at bay to keep a clean sheet and beat the Socceroos during the group phase, but that is the only shutout the Stars and Stripes have recorded in eleven matches.
Bosnia-Herzegovina have found the net in all but one of their last eighteen games and should score again in Santa Clara.
The USA have fired just one blank in 12 matches, losing 2-0 against Portugal, and will likely get on the scoresheet against a Dragons side with just two clean sheets since September.
Looking at the numbers of the USA and Bosnia-Herzegovina, backing both teams to score could prove a smart play.
United States v Bosnia-Herzegovina Bet Builder Tip
Over 2.5 goals
Folarin Balogun anytime goalscorer
Over 9 corners
Pays @ 9/2
Only two of the last 10 matches involving the United States have featured fewer than three goals.
The Stars and Stripes beat Senegal 3-2 in May and lost 5-2 against Belgium in March and there tends to be plenty of goalmouth action at both ends with the USA take to the field.
With Bosnia-Herzegovina scoring regularly, it’s likely this Round of 32 clash will feature over 2.5 goals.
Folarin Balogun scored a brace in the opener against Paraguay and should be fit and raring to go, having been rested against Turkey.
The forward netted 19 goals across all competitions for Monaco last season and can continue his scoring form against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Looking at set-pieces, the USA have averaged just over six corners per game while Bosnia-Herzegovina have recorded four and so betting on over nine corners may be a wise move with both teams creating chances as they push to go through.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
United States have advanced from the group stage in each of their last four World Cup appearances
Bosnia-Herzegovina drew six straight matches in ninety minutes before their group stage loss to Switzerland
Both teams have scored in nine of the last eleven matches featuring the United States
Bosnia-Herzegovina have kept just two clean sheets in 13 games, dating back to September
Read more football betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
