Tuesday 7th July – 1:00am BST

🌍 FIFA World Cup – Round of 16 ⚽

🇺🇸 United States vs. Belgium 🇧🇪

⚽️ BET BUILDER #1 Over 2.5 Goals Both Teams to Score Over 7.5 Corners Leandro Trossard to have a shot on target 💷 1pt Best Odds: 3.50 at William Hill ⚽️ BET 1: Maxim De Cuyper to have a shot on target 💷 1pt Best Odds: 3.25 at Bet365 ⚽️ BET 2: Chris Richards to commit three or more fouls 💷 1pt Best Odds: 4.50 at Bet365 ⚽️ BET 3: Thomas Meunier to commit three or more fouls 💷 1pt Best Odds: 5.00 at Betfair/Paddy Power

Tonight’s Round of 16 clash between the United States and Belgium arrives with more drama off the pitch than any World Cup knockout match in recent memory. Two teams arrive in Seattle to play a fixture overshadowed by political shockwaves and disciplinary controversy.

Belgium scraped past Senegal in extra time, surviving a 125th‑minute penalty after falling 2–0 behind. The United States, meanwhile, celebrated their first World Cup knockout victory in 24 years — and will unexpectedly have their top scorer, Folarin Balogun, available after FIFA overturned his suspension in a decision that stunned and left the Belgian FA disgusted.

I would look at cards here but then again, can having any logical thoughts during this tournament be actually worthwhile?

Ah, let’s just talk about the football. USA have scored two or more goals in all four of their World Cup matches so I think goals should be good here, especially combined with Belgium’s defensive instability. The Red Devils have conceded three goals across their last two games and needed every ounce of attacking firepower to escape Senegal. However the USA and Belgium have met earlier this year in March, a 5–2 Belgian win, showed just how open this matchup can become.

Both teams carry enough firepower to ensure BTTS lands. Balogun’s reinstatement adds emotional fuel and a clinical edge to the American attack, while Belgium’s frontline remains stacked with threats. Romelu Lukaku continues to be decisive off the bench, Jeremy Doku drives at defenders and shoots whenever he cuts inside, and Leandro Trossard arrives in excellent form. Trossard hit the target against Senegal and scored twice against New Zealand earlier in the tournament, making him a strong candidate to record at least one shot on target tonight.

Corners should come naturally from the rhythm of this matchup. The USA play with width, press aggressively and their corner numbers across the tournament reflect that pattern: 4, 9, 7 and 3 in their four games. Belgium’s output has been more uneven — 4, 8, 4 and just 2 — but tonight is do or die. Over 7.5 Corners should land for the next leg.

For the second bet builder, Kevin De Bruyne is well‑placed to hit three or more shots against the USA and Maxim De Cuyper to get yet another shot on target looks good. KDB’s role as Belgium’s primary creator naturally pushes him into advanced areas, and his shot volume in the group stage speaks for itself: 7 vs New Zealand, 5 vs Iran, 4 vs Egypt.

This matchup should suit him. The USA press high, leave space between the lines and force midfielders to shoot from distance. Belgium will eventually get the ball, and with the stakes enormous, potentially De Bruyne’s final World Cup match if they lose, he will take responsibility. Last game against Senegal he took 2 shots before he was replaced after 56 minutes.

Maxim De Cuyper also remains a strong shooting angle. Garcia gives his full‑backs licence to attack, and De Cuyper thrives with that freedom. His Premier League numbers don’t show it, but for Belgium he’s consistently involved: 2.36 shots per 90 in qualifying, two goals, and constant box entries. After coming off the bench in the opener, he produced five shots (four on target) against Iran and landed another shot on target against New Zealand. He also got another against Senegal last week from long range.

De Cuyper to register a shot on target has already landed in two of three matches, and pairing it with De Bruyne three or more attempts mirrors Belgium’s last two outings.

I’ve already landed this foul bet twice in the tournament, and the angle remains strong: Chris Richards to commit three or more fouls. He averages 0.80 fouls per game and 0.85 per 90, but those numbers climb when he’s pulled into duels — and he contests almost nine per 90, a huge load for a centre‑back. Belgium’s direct runners, especially Doku, and Lukaku’s hold‑up play force Richards into recovery tackles and heavy contact. With the USA defending high, he’s likely to be isolated repeatedly, making three fouls very realistic.

Thomas Meunier also looks good for three or more fouls. He commits 1.54 fouls per 90 and contests seven duels per 90, often defending wide channels where late recoveries are unavoidable. Belgium’s shaky defensive shape and the USA’s pacey, aggressive press mean Meunier will be dragged into repeated last‑ditch challenges. In a transition‑heavy match, his foul count should rise quickly.

After FIFA’s intervention this past weekend, this one could get heated on the pitch and referee Adham Makhadmeh, in his fourth appearance now at the World Cup, could be busy and hopefully he whistles for the fouls.

Best of luck.

Will Burns

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