USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina predictions and betting tips – Get 21/20 on co-hosts

After some impressive performances in the group stage, the serious business starts for the USA. A defeat here would be unthinkable after the co-hosts’ positive start to the World Cup, but can Bosnia & Herzegovina spring a surprise?

Read on for our preview of this round of 32 clash, as the USA attempt to reach the last 16 on home soil.

• USA -1 handicap – 21/20 with BoyleSports
• USA to score in both halves – 6/5 with Betfred
• Christian Pulisic to score any time – Evens with Betway

USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina head to head overview

• Date: Thursday 2nd July.
• Kick-off: 1am.
• Venue: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, USA.
• Where to watch: BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
• Referee: TBC.
• VAR: Yes.
• Last meeting: 18th December 2021; USA 1-0 Bosnia & Herzegovina.
• Last 3 matches: USA – 2 wins; Bosnia & Herzegovina – 0 wins; Draws – 1.
• Favourite to win: USA.

USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina predicted lineups

• USA expected lineup: Freese; Freeman, Richards, Ream, A. Robinson; Adams, Tillman; Dest, McKennie, Pulisic; Balogun.
• Bosnia & Herzegovina expected lineup: Vasilj; Dedic, Katic, Muharemovic, Kolasinac; Bajraktarevic, Basic, Sunjic; Alajbegovic; Dzeko, Demirovic.

USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina predictions

Having already secured top spot in Group D, the USA shuffled their pack for their third group game against Turkey, which ended in a 3-2 win for their opponents.

But in the first two rounds of fixtures at World Cup 2026, Mauricio Pochettino’s team played as well as anyone.

The USA kick-started their campaign with a thumping 4-1 victory over Paraguay, before easing to a 2-0 triumph over Australia.

The defeat by Turkey was not a major setback given the USA had already won the group, so confidence in the camp will be high ahead of the round of 32.

It is easy to forget now, but many USA fans were pessimistic about their side’s chances before the World Cup got under way.

There had been as many downs as ups in the first couple of years of Pochettino’s tenure, but it increasingly looks like the Argentinian primed his team to peak at the perfect time.

This is already a historic summer for Bosnia & Herzegovina, who are through to the knockout phase of the World Cup for the first time.

Bosnia made their debut in 2014, when they lost to Argentina and Nigeria before finishing on a high with a 3-1 victory over Iran. 

That was also the scoreline in their last group game this time around, as Bosnia beat Qatar to advance to the last 32.

Having drawn with Canada on matchday one, that win against the 2022 hosts moved Bosnia onto four points, which was comfortably enough to finish as one of the eight best third-place finishers.

Bosnia will now be looking to cause an upset against co-hosts USA. Anything they achieve from here is a bonus.

USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina betting tips

The USA are targeting a place in the round of 16 by beating Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Any hope for Bosnia?

Bosnia & Herzegovina deserved to beat Qatar last time out, but they were facing arguably the weakest team in the entire tournament.

Before that, Bosnia were second best in the 1-1 draw with Canada before losing 4-1 to Switzerland a few days later.

Bosnia did brilliantly to qualify and they are a scrappy, hard-working team. But the USA will prove too strong for them on Thursday (BST).

Having already beaten Paraguay 4-1 and Australia 2-0, the USA is well positioned to register another victory by a two-goal margin or more.

Back the USA with a -1 handicap at 21/20 with BoyleSports

USA attack to shine

In each of their three group games, the USA got out of the blocks quickly.

They opened the scoring against Paraguay in the seventh minute, Australia in the 11th minute and Turkey in the third minute.

In those first two games, the USA held a comfortable lead at half-time and had essentially wrapped up the three points before the second period.

The USA will look to make another fast start here. If Bosnia & Herzegovina are then chasing the match after the interval, the Stars and Stripes will back themselves to cause problems on the counter-attack.

Tip the USA to score in both halves at 6/5 with Betfred

Pulisic back with a bang?

Christian Pulisic was withdrawn at half-time of the USA’s defeat of Paraguay, sparking fears that he could miss the rest of the tournament.

It was therefore a huge relief to the American public to see the AC Milan forward make an appearance off the bench against Turkey.

Pulisic is in line to return to the starting XI for the clash with Bosnia & Herzegovina, and he will be desperate to make up for lost time.

Folarin Balogun is the favourite in the anytime scorer market, but Pulisic represents better value to find the back of the net.

Go for Christian Pulisic to score any time at evens with Betway

USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina latest odds

Find the latest USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

More World Cup 2026 predictions

We have plenty more World Cup 2026 predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

Important historical facts about USA and Bosnia & Herzegovina for betting

Bosnia & Herzegovina have lost just one of their last 11 matches.

The USA have not won any of their last 11 meetings with European opposition.

Bosnia & Herzegovina’s victory over Qatar last time out ended a seven-game winless streak.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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