Generally yes. This is not for "simple" cores this is the state-of-the-art static branch prediction algorithm as described by Intel in their optimization manual.

"Branches that do not have a history in the BTB ... are predicted using a static prediction algorithm: Predict forward conditional branches to be NOT taken. Predict backward conditional branches to be taken."

It then goes on to recommend exactly what every optimizing compiler and post-link optimizers like BOLT do:

"Arrange code to be consistent with the static branch prediction algorithm: make the fall-through code following a conditional branch be the likely target for a branch with a forward target, and make the fall-through code following a conditional branch be the unlikely target for a branch with a backward target."

This is why a reduction in taken forward branches is one of the key statistics that BOLT reports.