I’ve not been that impressed with Bosnia so far, their only victory has come against a pretty poor Qatar side, and even the point they got against Canada in the opening game was pretty cheaply earned when you look at the underlying numbers and the chances that fell Canada’s way.

USA won two of their three group games, only losing to Turkiye with a rotated side in the final few minutes of that encounter. I was particularly impressed with how they battled past the low blocks of both Paraguay and Australia in the group stages, Bosnia will set up in a similar style, and I don't think the European side will be able to cope with the intensity that Pochettino demands from his side.

USA’s games have been very entertaining at the World Cup so far, with all three seeing 2+ goals. Two of their games have gone above this goal count with entertaining matches against both Paraguay and Turkiye.

Bosnia have also seen 2+ goals in all three of their group games, notably failing to keep a clean sheet in any of those matches and conceding four goals against Switzerland. They’re an ageing side and could struggle with the energy of this USA side, who will be backed by their own supporters.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see USA cover this line on their own, they’re gelling really well with Mauricio Pochettino’s style at the moment and have enough quality to battle past this Bosnia side. USA have seen 2+ goals in each of their last 17 matches. 

Bosnia have picked up 2+ cards in two of their three World Cup games so far, falling just one short of this line in their last group game against Qatar.

Bosnia committed more fouls (17.7 per game) and collected more cards (28) than any other European side during qualifying. They’ve carried those aggression levels into the World Cup, averaging 15.7 fouls per game at the tournament - which is the highest foul count of any side still standing at the tournament.

USA will play with a lot of intensity and bring out this aggression from Bosnia. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have drawn 13+ fouls in all three of their games so far, drawing counts of 16 and 17 in two of those matches. 

The referee for this game is Raphael Claus, who has a career card average of 4.25 cards per game across 260 appointments. He’s officiated one game at the World Cup so far, handing out two yellow cards on that occasion.

Balogun has impressed for USA at the World Cup so far, with his performance against Paraguay in the opening game still standing as one of the best individual performances we’ve seen at the tournament so far.

Both of Balogun’s goals at the World Cup came in that game, with the Monaco forward taking seven shots across his two starts so far (3.91 per 90). He was rested for USA’s final group game against Turkiye, so should come into this clash fresh to cause some issues in the final third.

Balogun enjoyed a strong season for Monaco during the 25/26 campaign, netting 19 goals across all competitions. He averaged 1.28 shots on target per 90 across his 26 starts in Ligue 1, showing he has the talent to play and perform at this level - I’d just like to see that level from him a bit more often for Balogun to become a top striker. 

Tyler Adams is usually someone I focus on to commit fouls, but the aggression of this Bosnia side tempts me to look at him to win fouls instead in this encounter. 

Bosnia are one of the most aggressive sides at the World Cup; they committed more fouls than any other European side during qualifying and have committed the second most fouls at the World Cup so far (15.7 per game), with only Haiti committing more (18.3 per game). 

Haiti have already been eliminated from the competition, so Bosnia are the most aggressive side out of possession left standing at the World Cup, and they should show those levels of aggression against a USA side who play with plenty of energy and vigour themselves.

Adams has been fouled five times across his two starts at the World Cup so far (2.50 per 90) and should be a target here for the most foul-heavy side left at the World Cup.