Kombans host Malappuram in Super League Kerala Round 3 finale
Thiruvananthapuram Kombans FC will host Malappuram FC at the Chandrashekaran Nair Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on 11th October in the final matchday of the Round 3 fixtures of Super League Kerala 2026, with both sides occupying fourth and fifth places respectively. Under the competition’s new rule that no match can end in a draw, a decisive result is guaranteed in this fixture.
The pairing has a unique history in the competition: every previous meeting between Thiruvananthapuram and Malappuram FC has finished level. Thiruvananthapuram began the campaign with a loss to Calicut FC before holding Kannur Warriors FC to a draw and then beating them in a penalty shootout, a win that gave the Kombans two points and moved them up the table. Malappuram, by contrast, have yet to register a positive result and have one point from a penalty defeat, leaving them in fifth position.
Both teams enter the match with intact squads and no major injury concerns or suspensions reported. The Kombans’ likely XI is: Satyajit (GK); Shane, Jestin, Shinu, Abhiram; K. Emous, Arjun, P. Mota; M. Nisham, P. Santos, Shijin. Malappuram’s probable lineup reads: Muhammed Arbaz (GK); Muhammed Salim, Muhammed Bilal, Abdul Hakku Nediyodath, Bibin Anwar; Grace Adieu Youmou; Bongani Zungu, Prabanj Prasad; Sajeesh E, D. Lahlhimpuia, Abdelhay Elforsy.
Thiruvananthapuram will look to rely on 22-year-old Muhammed Nisham, the U23 striker who joined from the Kerala Blasters U21 side and has made an impact in two appearances. In the game against Kannur Warriors FC, Nisham "trapped a long ball from the midfield and glided it past the keeper to the top corner" to give the Kombans the lead; he was also active in creating chances and pressing high during that match.
Malappuram’s focal point is 29-year-old Daniel Lalhlimpuia, who joined the club ahead of the Super League Kerala 2026 season after spells with Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, Odisha FC, Punjab FC, Mumbai City FC, Jamshedpur FC and FC Goa. In Malappuram’s match with Calicut FC at the EMS Corporation Stadium, Daniel "brought the scores to parity" and "took the game to penalties after sliding in a cross from the left flank and helping the ball on its way to the goal," providing a levelling contribution under pressure.
Malappuram’s season position leaves little margin for error: a win would lift them to fourth place, while a loss would increase the gap between them and the top four. The Kombans will be aiming for back-to-back home wins to climb further from their current position.
The Super League Kerala 2026 match between Thiruvananthapuram Kombans FC and Malappuram FC is scheduled for 11th October 2026 at the Chandrashekaran Nair Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram. Fans in India can watch the Super League Kerala 2026 matches digitally on Zee5 and via linear coverage on Unite8 Sports, while viewers in the UAE can watch on Etisalat; for updates Khel Now lists its social channels and apps as sources for further information.