Malappuram FC vs Thirssur Magic FC Preview, team news, lineups & prediction | Super League Kerala 2025

Malappuram FC will host Thrissur Magic FC on the 3rd of October.

The Super League Kerala action shifts to the Malabar region on Friday as Malappuram FC welcome Thrissur Magic FC for the second match of the Super League Kerala, Season 2, for what is expected to be a hot Northern Derby. With both teams finishing the season one off a disappointing note, finishing fifth and sixth respectively, they will be keen to kick off Season 2 with a resounding three points on October 3rd at the Payyanad Stadium in Manjeri.

Malappuram will be boosted by their top signings made during the preseason, coupled with a fiercely devoted home crowd, while Thrissur, with new leadership, would aim to shake off the reputation of wooden spoon winners of last season instantly and start the season on a positive note, away from home. The fixture, featuring two regional giants seeking a major turnaround, is set to be a fiercely contested match for provincial pride and renewing their long-lost ambition.

The Stakes

Malappuram FC

For the home side, Malappuram FC, this match against Thrissur is a crucial opportunity to start their redemption arc and reward their longing fans who have been awaiting glory. Their biggest stake lies in validating the high-profile signing of ISL legend Roy Krishna, whose arrival has elevated the hopes of the fans and the club significantly.

A victory here is essential to build a positive momentum and to announce themselves as serious contenders for the title, and to balance the goal-scoring issues that haunted them last season. Anything less than a win could dampen the enthusiasm surrounding their marquee player, Roy Krishna.

Thrissur Magic FC

For Thrissur Magic FC, it is all about credibility and a restart. Under the dawn of their new gaffer, Andrey Chernyshov, their first aim would be to get off the bottom of the table nightmare which plagued them in the previous season. A victory over Malappuram FC would be an enormous statement of intent, giving the “Thrissur Brigade” the message that their wait for victory is at an end and Thrissur Magic FC is here to contend for the title.

Also Read: Super League Kerala 2025 Full fixtures, teams, venues & where to watch

Team News

For the home side, Malappuram FC, led by Spanish Head Coach Miguel Corral, there are no confirmed injury concerns for their home opener. Ahead of the season, the club’s most strategic addition is the legendary Fijian striker Roy Krishna, who joins to lead the attacking line.

Other key foreign signings include Argentine midfielder Facundo Ballardo and the towering Spanish defender Rubén Garcés. The squad is a good and well-balanced mixture of both domestic and international players, with multiple players like Kattimani, Lenny Rodrigues and more with proven experience in the ISL.

To the relief of Thrissur Magic FC, the team has no key absentees to announce, thus presenting new Russian Head Coach Andrey Chernyshov with a complete squad to execute his master plan. The ex-Mohammeden SC gaffer had been adventurous in the transfer market, bringing on board Trinidadian strike-machine Marcus Joseph and Serbian midfielder Ivan Marković.

The squad is also supported by experienced Indian players such as Lenny Rodrigues and CK Vineeth, making sure the new coach has the experience required to guide the team to a better performance this season.

Players to Watch

Malappuram FC – Roy Krishna

Roy Krishna, the most familiar name in the second season of the Super League Kerala, will be Malappuram FC’s and the league’s undisputed star. The Fijian forward, with a legendary goal-scoring record in the ISL, is the club’s flying high ambition.

While coming back to football after a serious knee injury from his stint in Odisha FC, if the 39-year-old could display his old clinical reflexes and unmatched leadership, he could turn out to be a dangerous threat and could potentially determine Malappuram’s season.

Thrissur Magic FC – Marcus Joseph

The player who can rekindle Thrissur Magic’s attack is the Trinidadian striker Marcus Joseph. Marcus is not a new name in Kerala football. He has made his name marked in the I-League record books as a tested goalscorer, along with his significant contributions towards the Durand Cup-winning campaign of Gokulam Kerala FC as the club captain.

Joseph’s physical strength, shooting power, and the ability to play as a lone striker make him a potent threat to the opponents under coach Chernyshov’s plan, and his performance in the offensive third could probably be the difference maker between the two sides.

Probable Lineups

Malappuram FC Predicted Lineup (4-4-2)

Tenzin Samdup (GK); Gurjinder Kumar, Rubén Garcés, Abdul Hakku, Johnson Joseph Mathews; Faslu Rahman, Muhammed Jasim, Gani Ahmad Nigam, Komron Tursunov; John Kennedy, Roy Krishna

Thrissur Magic FC Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)

Laxmikanth Kattimani (GK); Tejas Krishna, Sumit Rathi, Mailson Alves, Jidhu K Roby; Ivan Marković, Lenny Rodrigues, C.K. Vineeth; S. K. Faiaz, Marcus Joseph, Marcelo Toscano

Where and when to watch Malappuram FC vs Thrissur Magici?

The SLK Season 2 match between Malappuram FC and Thrissur Magic FC will be live broadcast on Sony Sports Network. The fans can view the match from 7:30 pm onwards all across India.

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