No previous meetings between these teams.
-
1
Ermin Mahmic2 - 2
Folarin Balogun2 - 3Jovo Lukic1
- 4Giovanni Reyna1
- 5Auston Trusty1
- 6Kerim Alajbegovic1
- 7Sebastian Berhalter1
- 8Alex Freeman1
- 1Folarin Balogun7
- 2Malik Tillman5
- 3Weston McKennie5
- 4Ricardo Pepi5
- 5Ivan Basic4
- 6Jovo Lukic3
- 7Auston Trusty3
- 8Brenden Aaronson3
- 9Christian Pulisic3
- 10Edin Dzeko3
- 1Weston McKennie4
- 2Nikola Katic4
- 3Malik Tillman3
- 4Chris Richards3
- 5Tyler Adams3
- 6Sead Kolasinac3
- 7Benjamin Tahirovic3
- 8Alex Freeman2
- 9Amar Memic2
- 10Armin Gigovic2
- 1Malik Tillman1
- 2Ivan Basic1
- 3Sebastian Berhalter1
- 4Alex Freeman1
- 5Christian Pulisic1
- 6Sead Kolasinac1
- 7Dennis Hadzikadunic1
- 1Weston McKennie7
- 2Ivan Basic6
- 3Malik Tillman5
- 4Sebastian Berhalter5
- 5Kerim Alajbegovic4
- 6Alex Freeman3
- 7Christian Pulisic3
- 8Sead Kolasinac3
- 9Esmir Bajraktarevic2
- 10Tyler Adams2
- 1Chris Richards175
- 2Tim Ream152
- 3Alex Freeman128
- 4Weston McKennie110
- 5Tyler Adams110
- 6Nikola Katic107
- 7Sead Kolasinac99
- 8Ivan Basic95
- 9Antonee Robinson83
- 10Sebastian Berhalter82
- 1Kerim Alajbegovic8
- 2Sergiño Dest7
- 3Weston McKennie6
- 4Antonee Robinson6
- 5Christian Pulisic5
- 6Alex Freeman4
- 7Malik Tillman3
- 8Amar Dedic3
- 9Ivan Basic2
- 10Tyler Adams2
- 1Tyler Adams6
- 2Tarik Muharemovic5
- 3Weston McKennie5
- 4Esmir Bajraktarevic4
- 5Malik Tillman4
- 6Nikola Katic4
- 7Alex Freeman4
- 8Benjamin Tahirovic4
- 9Auston Trusty3
- 10Ivan Basic3
The United States look to extend their home World Cup run on Thursday. Their reward for topping Group D is a Round of 32 tie with Bosnia-Herzegovina. Kick-off is set for 2am (UK time) at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara. Below, you will find our United States vs Bosnia-Herzegovina prediction, best bets and latest odds.
The Stars and Stripes topped Group D with six points. They beat Paraguay 4-1 and Australia 2-0 early on. However, a much-changed side then lost 3-2 to Turkey in a dead rubber. Bosnia-Herzegovina, meanwhile, clinched their Round of 32 berth by finishing third in Group B. Their 3-1 win over Qatar secured one of the eight best third-place spots. Mauricio Pochettino’s side carry home advantage. By contrast, Sergej Barbarez’s Dragons carry the spirit of a nation at only their second World Cup.
United States vs Bosnia-Herzegovina predictions & betting tips
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Folarin Balogun to score anytime | 6/5 @ bet365 (25%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Balogun has two goals in the group stage off an expected goals figure of 0.88 and three shots on target, making him the USA’s most reliable finisher. He has already netted twice in the tournament and leads the line as the focal point of Pochettino’s attack. Bosnia’s defence looked exposed for large parts of the group stage, conceding heavily to Switzerland. With home advantage and a fully rested front line, Balogun is the standout anytime scorer selection in Santa Clara. |
| USA to win and under 2.5 goals | 5/2 @ Sky Bet (26.7%) | ⭐⭐ | Bosnia have leaned on the experience of veteran striker Edin Dzeko without consistently finding the net. Dzeko has not scored in his two appearances at this World Cup despite 73 international goals to his name. Bosnia receive a boost with centre-back Tarik Muharemovic returning from suspension, which should stabilise a backline that looked exposed during the group stage. A controlled, home win where the USA manage the tie reflects the most likely shape of this fixture. |
Odds correct at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
How both teams head into United States vs Bosnia-Herzegovina
United States
The USA were highly impressive in their opening two matches. As a result, they beat Paraguay 4-1 and Australia 2-0 to reach the knockouts with a game to spare. A 3-2 defeat to Turkey followed in the dead-rubber finale. Still, six points from three matches proved enough to top Group D. Pochettino used that final game to rest his key players. That decision now pays off, as a fully refreshed squad is available for Santa Clara.
Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun and Chris Richards all return after being managed carefully against Turkey. Consequently, Pochettino has his strongest possible XI for his biggest game yet. Historically, the USA reached the 1930 World Cup semi-finals and the 2002 quarter-finals. They also made the last 16 in 1934, 1994, 2010, 2014 and 2022. Thursday, then, offers a chance to extend that history at home.
The tactical battle centres on midfield dominance and transition speed. Notably, the USA will look to control tempo through Christian Pulisic’s creativity in the half-spaces. Pulisic featured only sparingly across the group stage. However, he played more than half an hour off the bench against Turkey, easing any fitness concerns. A raucous home crowd at Levi’s Stadium gives the hosts every reason for confidence.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Bosnia-Herzegovina finished third in Group B behind Switzerland and Canada. They opened with a 1-1 draw against Canada before losing 4-1 to Switzerland. A crucial 3-1 win over Qatar on matchday three proved decisive. That result secured their place among the eight best third-placed sides. The Dragons went out in the 2014 group stage and missed 2018 and 2022. Reaching the knockout rounds, therefore, is a genuine success story for Bosnian football.
This is just the second World Cup in Bosnia-Herzegovina’s history, and the emotional weight behind this squad runs deep. Edin Dzeko, 40, remains the heartbeat of this team. Indeed, the national hero carries huge symbolic weight for Bosnian fans following the Siege of Sarajevo. His presence alone galvanises a passionate travelling support that has made itself heard throughout the tournament.
Bosnia-Herzegovina made this World Cup the hard way, squeezing into the knockouts as one of the best third-placed teams. They built their campaign on defensive solidity and sharp counter-attacking. That approach briefly deserted them against Switzerland, however, in a game also shaped by Tarik Muharemovic’s red card. His return from suspension gives Barbarez’s defence renewed stability heading into Santa Clara.
United States team news
Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun and Chris Richards all return to the side. Each was rested or managed carefully during the dead-rubber defeat to Turkey. As a result, Pochettino has his strongest possible group available for the Round of 32. He also faces few selection dilemmas after a clear group stage.
Matt Freese continues in goal behind a back four of Alex Freeman, Tim Ream, Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson. Tyler Adams and Malik Tillman anchor the midfield. Meanwhile, Sergiño Dest, Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic provide creative width and energy ahead of them. Balogun leads the line and has already netted twice at this tournament.
Bosnia-Herzegovina team news
Bosnia-Herzegovina receive a significant boost as 23-year-old centre-back Tarik Muharemovic returns from suspension. Crucially, that stabilises a backline which looked exposed during the group stage. His reinstatement is the single biggest team news story for Barbarez ahead of Santa Clara.
Nikola Vasilj continues in goal behind a back four of Riad Dedic, Toni Sunjic, Muharemovic and Sead Kolasinac. Amar Bajraktarevic, Sanjin Sunjic, Toni Basic and Kerim Alajbegovic operate across midfield, with Dzeko and Demirovic leading the attack. Alajbegovic is one of the few Bosnia attackers to have scored in the group stage. He also offers a spark from deeper areas.
Head-to-Head
The United States and Bosnia-Herzegovina have played three friendlies over the years, with United States coming on top twice. Bosnia-Herzegovina have yet to win in this fixture. Thursday’s Round of 32 fixture in Santa Clara is the first-ever competitive encounter between the two nations.
Which side will advance to the Round of 16?
The United States enter Thursday’s fixture as heavy favourites. They boast home advantage, a settled spine and the firepower of Balogun and Pulisic. The winner books a Round of 16 tie against either Belgium or Senegal. Bosnia-Herzegovina, by contrast, arrive already exceeding expectations. They can also call on Dzeko’s experience when it matters most.
We’re backing Folarin Balogun to extend his impressive tournament form in Santa Clara. 6/5 with bet365 for Balogun to score anytime reflects his clinical edge and expected return to the XI. Bosnia’s defence, after all, looked vulnerable against Switzerland.
For a combined play, USA to win and under 2.5 goals at 5/2 with Sky Bet reflects home advantage and Pochettino’s settled spine. Knockout football against a well-organised underdog, moreover, often stays low-scoring.
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