All you need to know about Aix - PSG Handball

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On Saturday night, Paris Saint-Germain Handball ends their run four consecutive away games. Just before the international break, they take on Aix, a side that is making a good start to the season, in their Liqui Moly StarLigue Round 8 fixture.

The table
Heading into Round 8, PAUC are in second place, just behind Les Rouge et Bleu. The side from Provence have had a stellar start to the season, with five wins, one draw (27-27 against Nantes) and a defeat (30-26 in Chambéry). They are currently on a run of three consecutive wins, including one against Nimes (28-27).

Meanwhile the capital club has been nothing short of perfect so far this season! Raul Gonzalez's men have won their first seven games and are alone at the top of the ranking and, if they win on Saturday night, they will be five points ahead of their closest rivals. But there is no doubt that Sunday's match will be every bit as tough as the one last week in Montpellier (33-34).

Clash of European sides
This isn't just a big league clash, it's also a duel between sides currently contesting European glory - Aix represent France in the EHF European League. Thierry Anti's team have two defeats from as many matches, including one conceded in the middle of this week, away to Magdeburg (31-27).

Paris also came up blank in mid-week, losing away to Kielce (38-33). However, our team are not far off second place (which qualifies directly for the quarter-finals) and could quickly get closer to the leading duo.

Alumni Encounters
Two of our players will be facing their former club: the Karabatic brothers! While Nikola played there for a few months during the 2012-2013 season (with 80 goals scored), Luka has wore the Black and Yellow for two and a half seasons (198 goals).

On the other hand, France internationals, Nicolas Claire (Parisian from 2008 to 2013) and William Accambray (from 2014 to 2017), will be hosting a club with which they won several titles.

Match-ups
We should also see a great battle between the two goalkeepers! Aix's goalkeeper (former Porto and Pontault-Combault player), Alejandro Romero, is one of the most efficient 'keepers in our championship with 73 saves! Just behind, we find a Vincent Gérard in great shape. He has 65 saves, including 38 in the last three matches. They lead respectively the second (190 goals conceded) and fifth (194) best defences in the Liqui Moly StarLigue.

Up front, the battle will be tough between Matthieu Ong (46 goals for Aix) and Mikkel Hansen (35 in favour of Paris). Here again the two teams are very close in terms of statistics, since our team dominates the attacking table (260), while our opponents are fourth (209).

Head to head
Before this 19th meeting of the two sides, Paris Saint-Germain Handball dominate the record in no uncertain terms. Indeed, they have 16 wins and only two losses. They are currently on a run of seven wins over Aix!

To follow the game (kick-off at 20:30):
- Television: beIN SPORTS 3
- Our social media: via our live-tweet

(Credits: A. Gadoffre/TeamPics/PSG)