Soccer Betting News This Week | Arsenal Secure First Title, Market Watch & Analysis | May 21, 2026

By Seb Blasco, Updated on: May 15, 2026 12:00 AM

Manchester City were held to a draw in Bournemouth, sparking wild celebrations in North London as Arsenal secured their first title in 22 years. Arsenal can now turn their attention to next week’s Champions League showdown with holders Paris Saint-Germain F.C. in Budapest.

Both teams will be hoping that major stars can return to full fitness, particularly Arsenal who have injuries in defence, and face a Paris side packed with attacking options. PSG are the top scorers in this season’s Champions League, with 44 goals in total, compared to Arsenal’s 29. However, Arsenal are the only side yet to lose in this season’s Champions League, and will fancy their chances of keeping PSG at bay. The clash of styles could point to a draw, and therefore a penalty shoot-out, with BetOnline currently pricing the final to go to penalties at +450.

With all the major European leagues now decided, fans across the world will be looking ahead to the World Cup. The first ever 48-team tournament will be the largest in history, with Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo & Lionel Messi all confirmed to be in attendance. For all the news, views and analysis, start with soccer betting soccer betting.

This week’s biggest soccer betting storylines

Champions League

EPL relegation

Conference League

Play-off final

PSG star player and Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé limped off in the first half of PSG’s final game of the season with a muscle injury, leaving him in doubt for the final with Arsenal. The absence of Dembélé would be a massive blow to the Parisians, who have confirmed that he is undergoing specific care to manage the issue. Despite the potential setback, Bovada still have PSG as slight favourites at -115 to lift the trophy.

Arsenal are managing their own injury problems, particularly at right back, with Ben White out for the rest of the season, and star defender Jurriën Timber fighting to be fit. Arsenal also have one remaining league fixture and will be hoping they can avoid any further setbacks before travelling to Budapest. Despite the concerns, BetNow have Arsenal priced at +110 to lift the trophy.

At the bottom of the Premier League, West Ham United were handed a lifeline in their battle to avoid relegation after Chelsea beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at Stamford Bridge to ensure the relegation fight will go down to the final day of the season. Tottenham host Everton needing only a point to confirm survival, with BetNow pricing Spurs at -350 to avoid relegation. West Ham will be hoping for a miracle at home to Leeds United, with BetNow having the Hammers at +500 to stay up.

Crystal Palace will play Rayo Vallecano in the UEFA Conference League final, with both teams aiming to win their first-ever European trophy. Crystal Palace are firm favourites at around -115 to win at Bovada the match in 90 minutes, while Rayo Vallecano are priced near +320, with the draw available at approximately +260. To lift the trophy outright, Palace are around -230, while Rayo are approximately +170 at MyBookie. Despite neither club previously winning a European title, Palace manager Oliver Glasner has prior continental success after winning the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt.

Southampton have been kicked out of the play-off final in dramatic fashion after being found guilty of spying on rivals Middlesbrough. Middlesbrough will now face Hull City A.F.C. in the final for a place in the Premier League - a match often dubbed “the richest game in football.” BetOnline currently have Middlesbrough as slight favourites at -130 to win promotion, while Hull are priced at +110 to return to the Premier League.

The 2026 Champions League final: Paris Saint-Germain vs Arsenal 🏆#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/p8DE7qhWet

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 6, 2026

World Cup squads

After months of speculation, Carlo Ancelotti has named Neymar in his 26-man World Cup squad. Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, will be appearing at his fourth World Cup. Five-time winners Brazil national football team open their tournament against Morocco on 13 June at MetLife Stadium in New York. They are currently ranked as fourth favourites by BetOnline at +150, behind Spain (+120), France (+300) and England (+125).

Al-Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo has been called up to the Portuguese World Cup squad and is set to play in a record sixth tournament. Portugal currently sit as sixth favourites, with BetOnline pricing them at +1100 to lift the trophy.

His World Cup record is set to be equalled by long-time rival Lionel Messi, with the reigning champions looking to retain the trophy. They currently sit as fifth favourites alongside arch-rivals Brazil, with BetOnline also pricing Argentina at +1100.

Favourites Spain, who are priced at +120 to win the tournament with BetOnline, are expected to start the tournament without star player Lamine Yamal. The 18-year-old has been out of action since 22 April after suffering an injury during Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Celta Vigo. Spain kick off against Cape Verde on 15 June and face Saudi Arabia six days later, with expectations high that they will progress comfortably from their group before potentially welcoming Yamal back for the knockout stages.

In France, 2022’s finalist will once again be led by star attacker Kylian Mbappé. Much like PSG, they too will be hoping that ballon d'or winner Ousmane Dembélé can return to fitness in time for the tournament. France will be aiming to replicate their 2018 triumph, in what many suspect to be long serving manager Dider Deschamps last tournament. BetOnline currently pricing them at +125 to win the World Cup.

England are yet to announce their final World Cup Squad, but the main talking point will be around Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham. Bellingham was the main man for England at Euro 2024, but has since lost his play in the Real team, often featuring from the bench. Whilst he is expected to feature in the squad, questions remain around whether he will gain a starting place. New manager Thomas Tuchel will be managing at his first World Cup, with BetOnline currently pricing them at +125 to secure the trophy.

New managers

As the Premier League season comes to a close, there has been a wave of managerial changes confirmed across the division. As many expected, Pep Guardiola has left Manchester City after another era of dominance that delivered six Premier League titles, two Champions League crowns, multiple domestic cups, and a historic treble-winning season, cementing his status as one of the most successful managers in football history.

In a move long touted, his former assistant and recent Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca will take over at the Etihad, tasked with continuing and evolving Guardiola’s legacy rather than replacing it outright. Early 2026/27 Premier League title betting from BetNow has priced Manchester City around +300 to win the league under Maresca’s.

Managerial changes are also afoot at both Chelsea and Manchester United , with Xabi Alonso and Michael Carrick both now confirmed to lead their teams into the new season. BetNow are pricing Chelsea at +1000 to win the Premier League next season, while Manchester United sit at around +750. Holders Arsenal, whose manager Mikel Arteta is now the longest-serving Premier League manager, will start the season as favourites. BetNow currently prices Arsenal at around +180.

Previous soccer betting news updates

[May 2026]: Arsenal are currently priced around -110 at BetNow to win the UEFA Champions League ahead of their final against PSG.
[May 2026]: Arsenal are now priced around -105 to win at BetNow the UEFA Champions League ahead of their final against PSG.
[May 2026]: Arsenal sit as -140 favourites to win the Premier League with Bovada, holding a two-point lead over Manchester City with two games remaining.
[April 15, 2026]: Arsenal entered the Champions League quarter-final market as +225 favourites.
[Early February 2026]: Arsenal moved to -500 favourites to win the Premier League following a dominant winter run.
[December 2025]: Arsenal slipped to -145 in the title market after a rash of injuries disrupted their momentum.

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Seb Blasco