Methods and apparatus for content preloading using predictive models are disclosed. A system includes computing devices that generate a model to determine a predicted set of additional network content assets anticipated to be requested by a client after the client has requested a given set of assets. The devices determine, based on characteristics of a client's content request, whether to initiate an asset preload operation using the model. If a decision is made to initiate an asset preload, the devices identify, using the model, the predicted set of assets corresponding to the request, and initiate delivery of at least a portion of the predicted set to one or more destinations on behalf of the client.