Kathmandu: If finals are meant to feature the best teams of a tournament, then the Nepal Super League (NSL) 2025 has hit the jackpot. Lalitpur City FC and Pokhara Thunders are set to clash in a highly anticipated showdown on Saturday at Dasharath Stadium—a match that promises fireworks.

Seven teams took part in this year’s franchise-based league, but these two have stood out as the most deserving contenders for the title.

Defending champions Lalitpur City FC have been the most dominant side, going unbeaten throughout the campaign. They topped the league table with three wins and three draws and have now gone 10 matches without a loss—a record in the NSL’s three-season history. 

Last season, they clinched the title with three consecutive victories, and this year they continued the momentum, beating Dhangadi FC in Qualifier 1 to book an early ticket to the final. That win also earned them a valuable week of rest for preparation.

Pokhara Thunders, on the other hand, had a rocky start, losing their first two games and finishing fourth in the league stage. But they’ve turned things around in style, going on a six-match unbeaten streak. In the eliminator, they thrashed FC Chitwan 3-1 and edged Dhangadi 1-0 in a lackluster Qualifier 2 to reach the final.

What’s more impressive is Pokhara’s newfound defensive solidity. They’ve conceded just one goal in their last six matches, keeping five clean sheets—a clear sign of a team peaking at the right time.

As Lalitpur aim to make history, finishing the tournament unbeaten and capturing back-to-back titles, Pokhara will be eager to flip the script and complete a remarkable turnaround. Regardless of the outcome, fans can expect a gripping finale between two teams who’ve earned their shot at glory.