World Cup Group D Prediction & Best Bets

Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT are set to be in Group D as World Cup co-hosts and they are joined by Turkey, Australia and Paraguay.

The United States takes on Paraguay in their opener on the outskirts of Los Angeles before facing games against Australia in Seattle and Turkey back at SoFi Stadium in California.

In the expanded format of the 48-team World Cup, 32 teams will progress to the first knockout round, as many as three from each group.

World Cup Group D Prediction & Best Bets

Turkey to win Group D (+175)

The US are installed as marginal favorites to win Group D but that might be asking too much of Pochettino's team.

The head coach has a wealth of experience to call on from his time in England and France but most observers have concluded that Pochettino remains unsure of his best XI.

Star performer Christian Pulisic is coming off a disappointing second half of the season at AC Milan, where he struggled for form and his side failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League following a shock home loss to Cagliari on the final day.

Vincenzo Montella led Turkey to the quarter-finals at the 2024 European Championships and they can win this section.

They had to come through the playoffs in March to get here, but only after they finished second to tournament favorites Spain in their qualifying group.

With talents like Real Madrid star Arda Guler, Inter Milan captain Hakan Calhanoglu and Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz, Turkey are more than capable of emerging as group winners.

The US side should be fancied to follow them home and make the last-32, especially if they can make a bright start against a Paraguay side that scored only 14 goals in their 18 Conmebol qualifiers.

Folarin Balogun – Top Team Goalscorer USA (+400)

Pulisic is very much the player expected to make the USMNT tick and is the playmaker-in-chief for Pochettino's side. He has 33 goals for the Stars and Stripes and the 27-year-old is the natural leader.

For the accolade of being Top Team Goalscorer for the co-hosts, it may pay to look instead to Monaco forward Folarin Balogun.

Born in Brooklyn, he spent his formative years in London and impressed coming through Arsenal's youth system.

He's now settled in Ligue 1 after a spell on loan at Reims and ended the season with 13 goals in the French top flight for Monaco.

He scored his ninth goal for the USMNT in the warm-up win over Senegal.

He's got the speed to worry defenders and is a composed finisher.

That could pay off especially against Turkey and Australia, two teams much more willing to come forward than Paraguay, the South Americans likely to build their foundation on defensive resolve and commitment.

World Cup Group D Odds

To Win Group

USA	+138
Turkey	+175
Paraguay	+375
Australia	+700

To Qualify from Group

USA	-700
Turkey	-400
Paraguay	-200
Australia	-110

United States odds

To win outright	+6600
To reach the final	+2200
To reach semi-final	+900
To reach quarter-final	+333
To reach round of 16	+110

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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.