Thiruvananthapuram Kombans vs Thrissur Magic FC Preview, team news, lineups & prediction | Super League Kerala 2025

The Kombans will host Thrissur on the 17th of October

The southern coast of Thiruvananthapuram is all set to host its third consecutive home match of the season as Thiruvananthapuram Kombans FC face off against a resilient Thrissur Magic FC in the first matchday of the third round fixtures of the Super League Kerala 2025.

Both teams have walked on the same path so far in this tournament, facing defeat in their opening fixture and emerging victorious in their second match with a narrow one-goal margin.

The host secured the three points after edging past the bottom table Forca Kochi, fueled by a 73rd-minute goal from Paulo Victor and Thrissur, on the other hand, bagged the victory, defeating the defending champions at their fortress, powered by a first-half goal from Mailson Alves.

The Kombans will now be eyeing a victory on the 17th in front of their vocal fans at the Chandrashekaran Nair Stadium, which would take them to the top of the table. But, ahead of them are the Thrissur Magic FC, who are pumped up more than ever after a resounding victory away from home in Super League Kerala.

The Stakes

Thiruvananthapuram Kombans FC

For the Kombans, the game more about providing the fans a statement that they are here to contend for the trophy and solidifying their early status as one of the league’s leading challengers.

Following an inspiring 1-0 win in their previous match, the Kombans need to now prove they can produce consistent results at home. Claiming victory at against the Magicians will be crucial in justifying the strong preseason signings made by the team and their historical advantage over Thrissur Magic FC. A win at the Chandrashekaran Nair Stadium, will instantly send the Kombans higher up the table, providing crucial distance between their immediate mid-table rivals, preventing any sorts of mid-season struggle for points that proved costly in their previous campaign.

Thrissur Magic FC

For Thrissur Magic FC, the game against Thiruvananthapuram Kombans is all about getting an important advantage from the crowded mid-table and fixing their dismal head-to-head balance against the hosts. With three points in two matches, a win for the visitors will mean a direct six-point swing situation, which would take them to the top of the table.

The Magicians will aim to turn over a tough past, as they have never beaten the Kombans in the Super League Kerala. A win on the road would give them a huge psychological boost and set them up for a possible push to the top half of the table, building on the momentum of their recent win over Calicut FC. However, a loss would put them in danger of falling back down to the lower half, taking them back to the path of disappointment, which they faced last year.

Team News

The Kombans midfielder, Akshay, was injured in their previous match against Forca Kochi and was subbed off in the 19th minute. However, the player is expected to return on the pitch for the upcoming match as the injury is supposed to be minor and temporary.

Apart from that, there are no injury concerns for either Thiruvananthapuram Kombans or Thrissur Magic FC, allowing the head coaches, James McAloon and Andrey Chernyshov, to deploy their full roster.

Player to Watch Out For

Thiruvananthapuram Kombans – Paulo Victor

Paulo Victor is a versatile attacker whose offensive flair and clinical finishing make him a constant threat in the final third. Though the 25-year-old Brazilian had a few brief stints across different leagues throuhgout his career, one thing that ran as a common thread among them is his determination and goal-hungry mentality which the Kombans spearheaded by James McAloon can rely on.

In the recent tense fixture against Forca Kochi, Victor proved his immediate impact, coming off the bench in the 70th minute to register the side’s first win of the season. His substitution was the key tactical change, as he instantly broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute in one of his very first involvement in the game, by powerfully heading a clever cross from Mohammed Ashar into the net. Paulo’s ability to create any stalemate situation to a win makes him a potent threat for the opponents and this will be vital in their Super League Kerala clash against Thrissur Magic FC.

Thrissur Magic FC – Mailson Alves

The Brazilian defender, having previously established a dominant presence in the ISL during Chennaiyin FC’s trophy-winning campaign, brings a wealth of experience to the Super League Kerala for Thrissur Magic FC. Though essentially an anchor in the defence, renowned for effectively marshalling the backline, Mailson is also an important asset in the attacking third, particularly during set-pieces, providing him with the unique quality of being able to create an impact at both ends of the field for the Magicians.

In the recent match against defending champions Calicut FC, Alves was the difference maker between the two sides, single-handedly delivering a historic 1-0 win for Thrissur. Alves broke the deadlock by rising powerfully to head a corner kick into the net.

Later, when Calicut were desperately trying for an equaliser, Mailson created an impenetrable defensive unit to nullify all the attacking initiatives of the hosts and ultimately managed to walk off the tunnel with three points. If Mailson could display the same level of performance, he could potentially silence the home crowd and deliver the victory for his side.

Predicted Lineups

Thiruvananthapuram Kombans Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)

Aaryan Anjaneya (GK); Abdul Badish, Salam Ranjan, Filipe Alves, Shanid; Rohen, Mohammed Shafi, Patrick Mota; Mohammed Ashar, Paulo Victor, Ronald

Thrissur Magic FC (4-3-3)

Kamaludheen (GK); Bibin Ajayan, Tejas, Mailson Alves, Jiyad; Francis, Lenny Rodrigues, Ivan Markovic; Faiaz, Marcus Joseph, Naveen

When and where to watch Thiruvananthapuram Kombans FC vs Thrissur Magic FC in Super League Kerala?

The Super League Kerala Season 2 match between Thiruvananthapuram Kombans FC and Thrissur Magic FC will be live broadcast on Sony Sports Network and the Sports.com website. The fans can watch the match from 7:30 pm onwards all across India.

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