Football Predictions This Week: May 18 - May 24, 2026
A Packed Week of Football Across Six Leagues
From MLS to the Europa League, this week delivers 30 matches spanning seven competitions, and our AI model has crunched the data to bring you the most compelling predictions. Let's break down the standout fixtures, the high-confidence calls, and the matches where anything could happen.
Monday's Highlights: Arsenal Set the Tone
The week kicks off with one of the most clear-cut predictions in this entire seven-day stretch. Arsenal vs Burnley (Premier League, Monday May 18) carries an 84% home win probability — the highest of the week — with our AI forecasting a 2-0 Gunners victory at a confidence rating of 72/100. Burnley's defensive struggles away from home make them a difficult team to back, and Arsenal's goal-scoring consistency at the Emirates gives them every advantage here. This is about as one-sided as Premier League analysis gets.
Across the Atlantic, Nashville SC vs Los Angeles FC opens MLS proceedings with a 45% home win probability and a predicted 2-1 Nashville victory. At 59/100 confidence, this is a solid forecast for a match that carries genuine competitive balance. Nashville's home form has been a genuine asset this season, and LAFC will need to overcome that road challenge on a short turnaround.
In Sweden, Monday also features two Allsvenskan clashes. Djurgården vs Sirius is almost a coin-flip — 38% home vs 36% away — with a 42/100 confidence score reflecting just how difficult this one is to call. The forecast of 2-1 to Djurgården is narrow, and we'd treat it accordingly.
Tuesday & Wednesday: The Meat of the Week
Tuesday brings the eagerly anticipated Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur London derby. Our AI forecasts a 2-1 Chelsea win with a 46% home win probability — closer than some might expect given recent form. At just 47/100 confidence, this is a volatile fixture where momentum and team selection could swing things dramatically.
Manchester City at Bournemouth (Tuesday, Premier League) gives City a 48% away win probability with a predicted 1-2 scoreline. City have shown they can grind out results in hostile environments, but the Cherries have been a stubborn outfit at the Vitality Stadium. This one lands at 46/100 confidence, meaning our model is approaching it with appropriate caution.
Wednesday is the busiest day of the week with 14 matches across Saudi Pro League, Eliteserien, Allsvenskan, and the Europa League. Here are the standout predictions:
Start vs Bodø/Glimt (Eliteserien) is our second-highest confidence call of the week at 72/100, with an 81% away win probability and a predicted 0-3 hammering for the home side. Bodø/Glimt have been Eliteserien's dominant force in recent years, and this forecast reflects exactly that kind of gulf in class.
Aalesund vs Brann follows in the same competition with a 62/100 confidence rating and a 56% away win probability for Brann, predicted to win 2-0. Norwegian football fans will recognise Brann's quality advantage here.
In the Saudi Pro League, Al-Fayha vs Al Hilal produces one of the most lopsided forecasts of the week — 78% away win probability for Al Hilal, with the AI calling a 0-2 away victory at 57/100 confidence. Al Hilal's resources and squad depth make them almost impossible to back against for a side like Al-Fayha. Similarly, Al Khaleej vs Al Ahli sees a 64% away probability for Al Ahli, one of the Saudi league's most formidable outfits.
The Europa League delivers its headline act on Wednesday as SC Freiburg hosts Aston Villa. Our AI predicts a 1-2 Villa victory with 53% away win probability and a 53/100 confidence rating. Villa have shown genuine quality in European competition, and their squad depth could prove decisive over 90 minutes in Germany. This is one of the most intriguing matchups of the week and should deliver genuine drama.
Thursday to Saturday: Week's Closing Acts
Thursday's Pro League fixtures include Mechelen vs Club Brugge — a classic Belgian rivalry. The AI leans toward Club Brugge with a 56% away win probability and a predicted 1-2 scoreline at 45/100 confidence. Brugge's superior squad makes them the logical choice, though Belgian football rarely plays out as expected.
Anderlecht vs Sint-Truiden is genuinely unpredictable, with the AI calling a 1-1 draw despite Anderlecht being at home. A 39% away win probability for Sint-Truiden at 42/100 confidence suggests this match could go in virtually any direction.
Friday's Djurgården vs Brommapojkarna (Allsvenskan) gives the home side a 52% probability and a predicted 2-1 win at 50/100 confidence — essentially a 50/50 that leans slightly Stockholm's way.
Finally, Saturday's Championship playoff match — Hull City vs Southampton — is one of the most consequential fixtures of the week in terms of stakes. Our AI forecasts a 1-2 Southampton win with 52% away probability and 60/100 confidence. Southampton's play-off experience and quality make them slight favourites to progress, though Hull's home support could make this a nervy evening.
Week in Summary
This week's football calendar is rich with high-stakes drama across multiple competitions. The standout high-confidence predictions are Arsenal vs Burnley, Start vs Bodø/Glimt, and Aalesund vs Brann, where the data paints the clearest picture of likely outcomes. For those looking for intrigue, Chelsea vs Tottenham, SC Freiburg vs Aston Villa, and Hull vs Southampton are the marquee clashes where fine margins will decide everything. With 30 matches to follow across seven competitions, there's barely a moment to catch your breath — and that's exactly how the best weeks of football should feel.