Calicut FC vs Kannur Warriors FC Preview, team news, lineups & prediction | Super League Kerala 2025

Calicut FC are unbeaten against the Warriors.

Super League Kerala is all set for the Northern Derby as the defending champions Calicut FC lock horns against a strong Kannur Warriors side in the second matchday of the fourth round fixtures of the tournament. The match will take place on the 29th of October at the EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode at 7:30 pm IST.

Both teams have had contrasting results in their previous fixtures, with Calicut dropping points after settling for a draw against Malappuram FC, after leading with two goals till the 84th minute and Kannur.

On the other side, with a late-minute goal victory against Forca Kochi at their base. With two determined sides entering on the pitch, hungry to clinch all three points, the Northern Derby of the Super League Kerala will be an entertaining one to watch.

The Stakes

Calicut FC

The defending champions have not had a dominating start in the Super League Kerala 2025, as they would have expected to have. Though they defeated Forca Kochi in the opening fixture, they had to face a disappointing loss against Thrissur Magic FC and a gruelling draw against Malappuram FC in their previous encounter. With a draw, a win and a loss respectively, Calicut currently sit in the fourth position with 4 points ahead of the Kombans on goal difference.

For Calicut, a win not only would boost the morale of the players, but would also take them to the top two, a position which would temporarily free them from the burden of mid-table struggle, which troubled a few teams in the first season of Super League Kerala.

In their last meeting, Calicut had a commanding 3-1 victory against the Warriors. If they manage to continue the winning streak, it would justify their ability to produce consistent results despite a shaky start.

Kannur Warriors FC

The Warriors, despite all odds, have had a remarkable season so far. All of their matches till now have been away from home, and despite this, they have managed to find results and cement their position at the top of the table. In their first round, they defeated the Kombans 3-2, then held Malappuram for a draw in front of the vocal Manjeri fans and in their most recent encounter, they edged past Forca Kochi with a late Adrian Sardinero goal.

Though they were not seen in good shape in their match against Forca Kochi, if they could rectify their errors and regroup well, they could silence the Kozhikode fans, which most teams have failed to do so. A win would take Kannur to 10 points, again reiterating their position at the top of the table, which would hint them signs of qualification to the next rounds.

Team News

In their match against Malappuram FC, Manoj, who provided the assist for Calicut FC’s vital opener, was subbed off due to an injury he sustained in the second half of the match, due to the wet outfield. The availability of the player for the match is uncertain. As far as the visitors are concerned, there are no major injuries on their side.

Player To Watch Out For

Muhammed Ajsal – Calicut FC

Muhammed Ajsal, the promising striker of Calicut FC, joined the side ahead of the season on a loan spell from Kerala Blasters. The 22-year-old local boy has proven his attacking prowess, and his goal-scoring ability has seen him score goals for the Kerala team in the Santosh Trophy and for Inter Kashi in the I-League in their inaugural campaign.

In the previous match against Malappuram FC, Ajsal scored a brace at the Payyanad Stadium and kept the fans silent for the vast majority of the match. In the 7th minute of the game, he broke the deadlock to provide Calicut with the advantage. In the second half, when his side had a narrow one-goal advantage, he displayed his silky moves in the final third to beat the defenders and net in the third goal for his side. Though his team had to settle for a draw, his impressive performance won him the man of the match award, and if he continues this performance, he could create trouble for the Warriors’ backline in the Super League Kerala derby.

Adrian Sardinero – Kannur Warriors FC

The star of the Warriors’ attack and the team’s most potent threat is their Spanish forward and captain, Adrián Sardinero, who is an extremely experienced second striker with vast experience playing for some notable European Clubs like Getafe, OFI Crete, Apollon Limassol and A League side Perth Glory. Sardinero is most effective in fast-break opportunities, making him a tried and tested option for Coach Murias’s counter-attack system.

In the previous match against Forca Kochi FC, when Kannur was displaying a rather lethargic performance, Sardinero came in the second half as a substitute and immediately injected the attacking intent and positive mentality into the team. In the final third, he linked up well with Asier Gomes and scored the solitary goal of the match just minutes ahead of the end of regulation time to provide his side their second victory of the Super League Kerala 2025.

Predicted Lineup

Calicut FC Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)

Hajmal (GK); Asif Khan, Arun Kumar, Richard Osei Agyemang, Salim; Boasso, Arshaf, Nahuel Pereyra, Prashant K, Sebastian Rincon, Muhammed Ajsal

Kannur Warriors Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)

Ubaid CK (GK); Kannan, Delmonte, Vikas Saini, Sandeep; Arjun, Asier Gomes, Lavsamba, Shijin, Ebindas, Adrian Sardinero

When and where to watch Calicut FC vs Kannur Warriors FC in Super League Kerala?

The Super League Kerala 2025 match between Calicut FC and Kannur Warriors FC will be live broadcast on Sony Sports Network and the sports.com website. The fans can watch the Super League Kerala match from 7:30 pm onwards all across India.

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