Turkey
Turkiye travelled to the World Cup as many people’s dark horses for the tournament but this talented squad has failed to deliver in both matches so far and with no chance of qualification, all that awaits Vincenzo Montella and his players after this match is the flight back to Istanbul.
In the opening game the took on the groups perceived easiest team in Australia but despit having 73% possession they could not break down the stubborn Socceroos and endured a 2-0 defeat.
They again entered the second matchday as strong favourites to beat Paraguay but even with the South Americans reduced to ten men they couldn’t break them down and once again were beaten without scoring, this time by a single goal to nil.
Injuries & Team News
Kenan Yildiz has been nursing a calf strain for much of the season with Juventus in Serie A and has only played a bit part in the tournament thus far but he is expected to start this game in Los Angeles on Thursday evening.
Hakan Calhanoglu needs one more goal to move joint third on the all-time top scorers list for Turkey, level with former Middlesbrough player Tuncay Sanli on 22 goals.
At the other end of the pitch Ugurcan Cakir will move into fourth for all-time clean sheets with his next one for the national team.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 0-1 vs Paraguay | W W W W L L |
Predicted Line-Up
Turkey possible starting lineup:
Cakir; Muldur, Demiral, Kabak, Kadioglu; Ozcan, Calhanoglu; Akgun, Guler, Yildiz; Gul
USA
It could not have gone any better for the USMNT so far in this World Cup, two wins from two games and a whole nation being their “Soccer” team. The Build-Up to the tournament had been rocky for Mauricio Pochettino and his team but they are peaking at the right time.
They have already qualified for the last 32 and know they will finish top of the group no matter the result against Turkiye in Los Angeles. The main motivation for the USA will be a first ever 9 points target at the world cup, they have never won all three group games at a world cup.
They will enter this match following a 4-1 win over Paraguay in their opening game and a 2-0 win over Australia last time out in Seattle.
Injuries & Team News
The main concern for USA ahead of the knockout stages is the fitness of AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic. He picked up an injury against Paraguay and missed the Australia game and it’s very unlikely he will feature here.
Pochettino may choose to rest some of his players for this game so Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun, Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson who are all on yellow cards and might be rested.
Balogun can become the first American to score at least three goals in a single World Cup since Bert Patenaude in 1930, while an own-goal from Cameron Burgess and one by Alex Freeman led them to victory over Australia.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 2-0 vs Australia | L L W L W W |
Predicted Line-Up
USA possible starting lineup:
Freese; Scally, McKenzie, Trusty, Arfsten; Roldan, Berhalter; Weah, Reyna, Zendejas; Pepi
Betting Odds
| Team | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Turkiye Win | 14/5 – (2.90) | Grand Ivy |
| Draw | 3/1 – (4.00) | Dream Vegas |
| USA Win | 19/20 – (1.83) | 247Bet |
Prediction
Turkiye 1-1 USA
Turkiye are a much better side than they have shown at this world cup, USA on the other hand have shown plenty in both matches so far. I think these two are evenly matched and it could end up all square.