Turkey‘s match against the co-hosts USA may end up being the biggest dead rubber of the 2026 World Cup, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t interesting angles to combine for a potential bet-builder winner.
Expect changes to be wrung in this game, particularly for the United States as they progress into the next round and look to rest players where applicable and give minutes to others.
For Turkey, it’s a case of trying to restore some pride after defeats to Australia and Paraguay condemned them to an early exit in their first World Cup since 2002.
Our Turkey vs USA bet-builder is available at just short of 29/1 with Sky Bet. Read on as we break down each selection and explain why it stands out ahead of this clash from Los Angeles.
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Kenan Yildiz 2+ shots on target
While a handful of young stars have enhanced their reputation at this summer’s World Cup, it’s been a tournament to forget for Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz. Turkey have made headlines for their profligacy in front of goal and the 21 year old has been the main culprit. So far, he’s racked up the second-highest amount of shots in tournament with 12, failing to score and indeed only hitting the target with one of those attempts.
That surely can’t go on. Having scored 14 times in all competitions for the Old Lady this season, it’s not a lack of ability in front of goal that’s holding Yildiz back – but maybe a lack of composure on the big stage. With the pressure off and against a USA side with nothing to play for unlike Australia and Paraguay in the previous two games, we expect him to be a bit more threatening with his shots in this game.
Haji Wright 2+ shots on target
Haji Wright will be itching to go in this game. The Coventry City man is expected to replace Folarin Balogun in the USMNT starting eleven as the two-goal hero against Paraguay is likely to be rested ahead of the knock-out stages. Bringing in a forward who scored 17 goals in a title-winning campaign in the Championship this season is not a bad place for boss Mauricio Pochettino to be in however.
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Wright took 98 shots in the league this season, with 37 being on target (the third highest in the division) and with his pace and intelligent movement, he’ll certainly get chances against this off-form Turkish backline. Having only played one minute so far in the tournament, the 28 year old will want to showcase his abilities and give Pochettino something to think about for his future team selections in the campaign.
Under 3.5 goals
Although we’re expecting two specific attackers to test the goalkeepers here, we’re actually not anticipating a particularly high-scoring game. USA have been good going forward so far, finding the net six times across their first two games. With top spot of the group already tied up however, they’re less likely to be pushing for goals in this particular match.
Meanwhile Turkey are yet to find the net at this tournament and although they’re playing for pride in California, that lack of clinical instinct in front of goal has hugely let them down this tournament. With neither team having much to play for in the heat of Los Angeles don’t expect another breathless game involving the USMNT like the two we have seen thus far.
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