The USA's opening 4-1 win over Paraguay was the latest in a line of high-scoring matches and goals could also be on the cards when they play Australia. The US beat the Socceroos 2-1 in a friendly in November and it could be just as lively in Seattle.
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USA vs Australia Predictions Line-ups
USA (4-2-3-1) M. Freese; S. Dest, C. Richards, T. Ream, Antonee Robinson; T. Adams, W. McKennie; M. Tillman, C. Pulisic, F. Balogun
Australia (5-4-1) P. Beach; J. Italiano, A. Circati, H. Souttar, C. Burgess, J. Bos; C. Metcalfe, A. O'Neill, P. Okon-Engstler, N. Irankunda; M. Touré
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USA vs Australia Match Preview
By Aidan Perkins
World Cup co-hosts USA will hope to build on their impressive opening win over Paraguay when they take on Australia in Seattle.
The Aussies also started with an eye-catching victory — they beat a well-touted Turkey side 2-0 — so this is set to be a keenly fought Group D affair between two sides who will now be confident of progressing to the knockout stage. Mauricio Pochettino's US turned in a fine display to rout Paraguay 4-1 in Los Angeles and they are deserved favourites to make it two from two and book their spot in the round of 32.
Two goals from Folarin Balogun, an own goal and a late Giovanni Reyna strike ensured it was a comfortable opener for the States, who have designs on reaching the latter stages of a home tournament. Balogun, in particular, was outstanding, but a supporting cast of Christian Pulisic, Sergino Dest and Weston McKennie also impressed as the US caused their South American opponents all sorts of problems.
Pochettino will be keen to adopt a similarly expansive approach against an Australian side who are 23rd in Fifa's world rankings, eight places below the USMNT. It could be lively at Lumen Field. There were 25 shots in total in USA's opening game (16 from the hosts), while the stats from the Socceroos' 2-0 success over Turkey suggest it was less comfortable than the scoreline implies.
Turkey had an incredible 30 shots to Australia's nine, and the Aussies cannot afford to give a confident US side as many opportunities or things could turn ugly quickly in Seattle. Tony Popovic will be hoping that his Socceroos are as committed and heroic in defence to keep the States at arm's length, but it is more likely that the USA will underline their status as a side not to be taken lightly with another high-scoring win.
Defeat at Lumen Field wouldn't be terminal for Popovic's side. Australia have a very winnable Group D finale against Paraguay, who were fairly listless in their 4-1 defeat to the US, to come on June 26, and a draw in that one will probably be enough to claim one of the eight best third-placed finishers at the very least.
Backing the USA to go two from two is the main bet in this one and is augmented by a punt on over 2.5 goals. There have been at least three goals in seven of the co-hosts' last eight matches and also in the last two meetings between these countries.
USA got the better of the Aussies on both of those occasions. They recorded a 3-1 friendly win way back in summer 2010, while, much more informative, they also beat the Socceroos 2-1 in Denver last October.
USA vs Australia Best Bets
USA to win — 13/25
USA impressed in their 4-1 win over Paraguay while Australia rode their luck against Turkey, and the co-hosts look on course to make it two wins from two in Seattle.
Over 2.5 goals — 17/20
Seven of the USA's last eight games have featured three or more goals and there have been at least three goals in the last two meetings between these sides.
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