First League 2026 Matchday 24 Review: Surprises & Key Results

Matchday 24 of the 2026 First League season was a rollercoaster, marked by intense battles, surprising twists, and strategic shifts in the standings. With teams battling for crucial points, the round saw a mix of narrow victories, dominant displays, and tense goalless draws. The highlight was Botev Plovdiv’s convincing 2-0 win over Septemvri Sofia, signaling their resurgence, while Slavia Sofia’s commanding 3-0 victory over Beroe demonstrated their title ambitions. Meanwhile, tight stalemates like Cherno More Varna’s goalless draw with Arda Kardzhali underscored the league’s competitive parity. As the season edges toward its conclusion, these results carry significant implications for the top spots and relegation battles. The round kept fans on the edge of their seats, with surprises and strategic battles defining the weekend’s action.

Our Prediction Scorecard: Hits, Misses, and Accuracy

Overall, our predictions proved fairly accurate this round, with a 71% success rate in predicting the correct 1X2 outcomes—an encouraging sign of our analytical approach. For the over/under odds, we managed about 43% accuracy, reflecting the challenge of predicting total goals in a league where defensive solidity often prevails. BTTS (both teams to score) predictions had a 57% hit rate, indicating reasonable alignment with the league’s attacking trends.

• Correct predictions: Spartak Varna, Botev Plovdiv, CSKA Sofia, Lokomotiv Sofia, Lokomotiv Plovdiv
• Incorrect predictions: Beroe, Cherno More Varna, Ludogorets, Levski Sofia

This breakdown highlights areas for improvement, especially in over/under and BTTS predictions, where variance can be high due to tactical choices and match-day form.

Notable Results Analyzed

Spartak Varna 1-0 Montana

This match was a textbook example of a predicted narrow victory—our 1X2 call for Spartak Varna to win at around 40% was spot on. The game itself was tight, with Spartak capitalizing on a late, decisive strike. The under 2.5 goals prediction also hit the mark, reflecting the cautious approach of both sides. A classic case of a defensive grind, this result subtly shifts Spartak's momentum with key home points.

Botev Plovdiv 2-0 Septemvri Sofia

Our confidence in Botev Plovdiv’s home win paid dividends, as they outclassed Septemvri 2-0—one of the most confident calls of the round at 65%. The game was dominated by Botev’s disciplined pressing and clinical finishing. This result not only boosts their standings but also underscores their potential as playoff contenders. The prediction for over 2.5 goals missed, highlighting how a game can sometimes defy expectations despite a dominant result.

CSKA Sofia 1-0 Botev Vratsa

In a tight fixture, our prediction for CSKA Sofia to win at nearly 69% confidence proved correct. The game was decided by a single goal, exemplifying the league’s low-scoring but fiercely contested nature. The prediction accuracy reinforces CSKA’s resilience and tactical discipline, crucial in the title race.

Biggest Surprises: When High-Confidence Picks Went Wrong

• Ludogorets 1-0 Levski Sofia: Our prediction anticipated an upset, but Ludogorets failed to secure the expected victory, just missing out with an underwhelming performance. The underwhelming offensive output and strong Levski resistance defied our expectations of Ludogorets’ dominance.
• Lokomotiv Plovdiv 0-5 CSKA 1948: Despite a solid track record this season, Plovdiv was dismantled by CSKA 1948. Our prediction for under 2.5 goals and a Lokomotiv Plovdiv win were both wrong, showing the unpredictable nature of top-tier clashes and the importance of form and motivation.

These surprises highlight the league’s competitive balance and the challenge in predicting high-stakes matches, especially when tactical shifts or player absences come into play.

Best Calls: When Our Predictions Hit the Mark

• Varna’s Narrow Win: Correctly predicted Spartak Varna’s 1-0 victory, emphasizing their home resilience.
• Slavia Sofia’s Dominance: A bold call for a 3-0 win over Beroe proved accurate, capturing Slavia’s attacking prowess this season.
• CSKA Sofia’s Resilience: The 1-0 victory over Botev Vratsa aligned with our forecast, reinforcing their championship credentials.

These successes showcase our analytical edge and understanding of team form and tactical trends.

Standings Impact: How Results Reshaped the Table

The results of round 24 expand the chasm at the top and shake up the mid-table battle:

• Levski Sofia: Maintains a slim lead with 56 points despite a disappointing result, keeping their title aspirations alive.
• CSKA 1948: Closes the gap with a crucial win, now with 46 points, tightening the race for top honors.
• Ludogorets: Missed an opportunity to climb closer, remaining third with 44 points, while Slavia Sofia's win keeps them within striking distance.
• Relegation/Playoff Battles: Cherno More and Lokomotiv Plovdiv’s results deepen the intrigue, as they approach the critical final stretch.

Overall, the round has intensified the fight for European spots and safety, promising a thrilling conclusion to the season.

Looking Ahead: Next Fixtures & Season Climax

With just a handful of matches remaining, the focus sharpens on strategic shifts, player fitness, and crucial head-to-heads. Top teams will aim to solidify their positions, while mid-table sides battle to avoid relegation. Expect more tactical battles, dramatic late goals, and perhaps some more unexpected results as the league approaches its suspenseful finale. The next round promises to be pivotal in shaping the final standings, with title contenders and relegation battlers both feeling the pressure.