The USA play their final game of the World Cup group stage on Thursday when they take on Turkiye at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
The co-hosts have already secured a place in the round of 32 as Group D winners after a 4-1 win over Paraguay and a 2-0 victory over Australia.
In contrast, Turkiye have endured a dismal tournament and Thursday’s fixture will be their last of this World Cup. The Crescent-Stars have lost both of their games without scoring and will be heading home regardless of this result.
The USA are the understandable favorites, but head coach Mauricio Pochettino could opt to rest a few players ahead of the knockout stages.
Folarin Balogun, Tyler Adams, Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson are all carrying yellow cards and, if they were to play against Turkiye and pick up another, they would then be suspended for the first knockout game.
Captain Christian Pulisic missed the win over Australia with a calf injury and it seems unlikely he will be risked, although he has returned to training and is available.
Turkiye may rotate their team as well after two disappointing results, with Baris Yilmaz and Deniz Gul among those pushing for starts.
Turkiye vs. USA betting picks and predictions
Both teams to score - Yes (-150)
The USA are favorites to win and deservedly so against a team who know they are heading home after Thursday's game.
Turkiye came into the tournament with high expectations but have underwhelmed, however, the USA don't need to win either and that could lead to an open game.
Turkiye have failed to score in both of their group stage games so far, but they did create chances against both Australia and Paraguay.
In their meeting with the South Americans they laid siege to their opponents' goal for the entirety of the second half, but were unable to find their way through a determined defense.
The USA are unlikely to put in that level of effort at the back in a game that means nothing to how their tournament will progress.
Pochettino could also decide to limit the minutes of veteran Tim Ream and rising star Alex Freeman for this clash, or even leave them on the bench and that may open up spaces for Turkiye to exploit.
The USA's clean sheet against the Socceroos ended a run of nine games without a shut-out.
They also have a poor record against European teams and are winless in 11 against UEFA teams, so Turkiye look capable of at least getting on the scoresheet.
This game does look like a good chance to end that streak and backing the USA to win and concede at +260 is one option, but the simpler play on just both teams to score looks the best angle as neither team has anything to play for.
Ricardo Pepi 2+ shots on target (+175)
Balogun might sit this one out as he is carrying a card, but Ricardo Pepi should continue in attack after starting against Australia.
Pepi has had three shots in total across two games, having featured from the bench against Paraguay, but is yet to hit the target.
The 23-year-old looked fairly sharp against the Socceroos and may have a bit more responsibility against the Turks if Balogun;s minutes are limited.
PSV Eindhoven start Pepi averaged over a shot on target per-game for his club in both the Eredivisie and UEFA Champions League before linking up with his country for the World Cup, so two or more shots on target looks an achievable goal for the PSV star.
Deniz Gul 2+ shots on target (+275)
Deniz Gul has been a bit-part player for Turkiye with two substitute appearances, but the highly rated young forward should come into the starting XI now his side's fate has been sealed.
The 21-year-old mainly features as a substitute for club side FC Porto and he averages exactly one shot on target per 90 mins in the Portuguese league and 1.4 per 90 mins in the Europa League.
If he is handed a chance to start on Thursday he looks good value for two or more shots on target.
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Turkiye vs. USA odds
Turkiye | +250 |
Tie | +310 |
USA | -110 |
Turkiye vs. USA odds player props
Anytime goalscorer
Folarin Balogun (USA) | +163 |
Ricardo Pepi (USA) | +163 |
Arda Guler (Turkiye) | +300 |
Kerem Akturkoglu (Turkiye) | +275 |
Malik Tilman (USA) | +300 |
Weston McKennie (USA) | +300 |
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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.
