Malappuram: The Kerala Super League sees the Kannur Warriors FC facing off against Malappuram FC today (October 12, 2025). The match will take place at 7:30 PM at the Payyanad Stadium. Both teams won their opening matches, with Malappuram defeating Thrissur FC by a single goal and Kannur Warriors beating Thiruvananthapuram Combans FC 3-2. Statistics suggest that Kannur has an edge going into this match.
In their first season, the two teams faced each other twice, and Kannur Warriors won both encounters. Additionally, Kannur has a rare record of not having lost at home in the initial season. They won both matches played at Payyanad Stadium, against Malappuram and Thrissur.
Kannur Warriors showed a strong performance in their first match, combining solid offense with effective defense and ball possession. Goalkeeper C.K. Ubaid was in outstanding form, making four crucial saves. Argentine defender Nicolás Delmonte, along with Vikas in defense and midfielders Love-Sambam and Aben Das, played well together.
In attack, the team found reassurance when winger T. Shijin and striker Abdu Kareem scored goals in their last match. Under-23 player Muhammad Sinan also made an impact by scoring two goals. However, the absence of star striker Adrián Saldinero from the last season is a setback for the team.
For Malappuram FC, playing in front of their home crowd adds an advantage. John Kennedy, who performed well as a substitute in their last match, and Akhil are likely to start. Despite some talented players, the team failed to perform cohesively. International attacker Roy Krishna remains their core strength but the team did not display their true potential in their previous match, managing only two shots on target. The defense, led by Hakku, who shined last season, is strong, but the injury to captain Fazal Rahman is a blow to the team. With changing weather conditions causing increased humidity at Payyanad Stadium, the second half of the match may prove challenging.