Regular Season - 5 · 17 August 2026, 18:15 UTC

Arda Kardzhali vs Lokomotiv Sofia First League prediction

Arena Arda, Kardzhali

The model makes it 66% Arda Kardzhali, 16% draw, 18% Lokomotiv Sofia — fair odds of 1.52, 6.25 and 5.56. Fair odds are simply 100 ÷ the probability; they are the model's own number, not a bookmaker's price.

Most likely scoreline: 3-1 (7%).

Expected goals: Arda Kardzhali 3.02, Lokomotiv Sofia 1.59.

Both teams to score: 76%. Over 2.5 goals: 84%, under 2.5: 16%.

Model confidence: High.

Model insights

76%
Both teams to score
84%
Over 2.5 goals
16%
Under 2.5 goals
Most likely scorelines3-1 7%2-1 7%3-2 6%

Form going into this match

Arda Kardzhali

  • W2-0away to Dunav Ruse8 August 2026
  • L1-2away to CSKA 194831 July 2026
  • W1-0Slavia Sofia24 July 2026
  • D1-1away to Septemvri Sofia18 July 2026

Lokomotiv Sofia

  • L1-3CSKA 19488 August 2026
  • D1-1away to Slavia Sofia31 July 2026
  • L1-2Levski Sofia25 July 2026
  • D1-1away to Botev Plovdiv21 July 2026

Up to 5 matches before kick-off, most recent first. The model works from each side's rolling expected-goals ratings rather than from these results directly, so read them as context.

First League table

#TeamPWDLGFGAGDPts
6Arda Kardzhali421153+27
10Lokomotiv Sofia402247-32

Where the two sides stand. Full tables

Two sides the ratings cannot separate

Arda Kardzhali carry a model rating of 6.51 against 6.39 for Lokomotiv Sofia. The scale is anchored so that an average side in one of Europe's big five leagues sits at 6.85, and it is adjusted for the strength of each team's league, so the two numbers are comparable even across borders.

A gap that small is inside the noise of the rating itself — treat the two as level.

Recent form (most recent last): Arda Kardzhali D-W-L-W; Lokomotiv Sofia D-L-D-L.

The model expects goals

Under the hood the model expects 3.02 goals for Arda Kardzhali and 1.59 for Lokomotiv Sofia. Those two numbers, not the scoreline, are what the model actually estimates; everything else is derived from them.

Arda Kardzhali rate 0.68 in attack and 1.35 in defence, where 1 is league average and a lower defensive number is better; Lokomotiv Sofia rate 0.84 and 2.35.

That points to 84% for over two and a half goals and 76% for both teams to score.

The three most likely scorelines are 3-1 (7%), 2-1 (7%), 3-2 (6%).

How this was produced

Publicly tracked record so far: 288 correct results out of 598 settled predictions (48%), with 58 exact scorelines (10%). That log is updated automatically after every match and is never edited.

Full method: how the model works.

Statistical estimate, not betting advice This prediction is generated from a statistical model for entertainment and informational purposes only. It does not guarantee any outcome and should not be used as the basis for placing a bet.

Team comparison

Bars show each side's share of the two-team total, based on the model's attack/defence ratings and expected goals for this fixture.

Why the model favours this side

The model gives Arda Kardzhali the highest probability at 66%, based on each side's rolling attack and defence ratings estimated from recent match data. The model projects 3.02 expected goals for Arda Kardzhali against 1.59 for Lokomotiv Sofia. Arda Kardzhali's attack/defence rating is 0.68/1.35 versus the league average (1.00 = average), compared with 0.84/2.35 for Lokomotiv Sofia.