All you need to know about Istres - PSG Handball

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On Friday night, undisputed league leaders Paris Saint-Germain Handball travels to Istres for their Liqui Moly StarLigue Round 16 clash.

THE TABLE

The two teams are at the two extremities of the standings. The home side are currently fighting for their survival in 14th place (two points clear of the drop zone). Since the beginning of the season, Gilles Derot's men have lost eight and drawn four while winning just two: away to Limoges (34-37) and direct rivals Nancy (23-27).

On the other hand, the capital club has made a perfect start to the league season, winning all 14 of its Liqui Moly StarLigue games. Last week, they continued their spotless run with a very good performance against Dunkerque (38-30). The Parisians are therefore logically alone at the top of the standings with a five-point lead on their nearest rivals (Nantes and Aix) and a game in hand.

FACE-OFFS

In terms of statistics, Paris also have the advantage over Istres. With the status of best attack (515 goals scored) and third-best defence (389 goals conceded), Les Rouge et Bleu take on a team that has scored 386 times since the beginning of the season (12th attack) and has conceded 423 goals (14th defense). However, the Istrian goalkeepers are doing well! Arnaud Tabarand has already saved 119 shots (eight-most efficient goalkeeper), Paris Saint-Germain Handball academy graduate Clément Gaudin (who won the N2 with Les Rouge et Bleu), has stopped 35.

Our two goalkeepers, Vincent Gérard and Yann Genty, are former Istréens (between 2008 and 2010 for Vincent and from 2010 to 2012 for Yann). Since the beginning of the season, Vincent has 100 saves, while Yann is not far behind with 81. Finally, in the scoring department, the top scorers of both teams are Jakob Mikkelsen (67 goals) for Istres and the inevitable Mikkel Hansen (62) for Paris Saint-Germain Handball.

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A LOOK BACK AT THE FIRST MATCH

Istres and Paris have already crossed paths this season, in the Liqui Moly StarLigue. It was at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin, on the opening day of the season and our lads got the season off the to the best possible start with a big win (34-25). Individually, Vincent (14 saves) distinguished himself with a magnificent double save, while Elohim Prandi scored one of the most beautiful goals of the season, by finding the far top corner just before the buzzer. Also of note were the 100% records of Nedim Remili and Luka Karabatic (3 from 3), Adama Keita (4 from 4) and Kamil Syprzak (5 from 5).

HEAD TO HEAD

This is the 22nd time the two teams have faced each other in the league. Paris have lost just three of those meetings while drawing three and winning 15. Our team is on a nine-game winning streak and has not lost against the Istreans in ten matches. Their last defeat in the fixture was on 8 October, 2010 (29-32).

FIRST OF THREE AWAY GAMES

Against Istres, Les Rouge et Bleu begin a run of three away games. On Monday, they will travel to Orléans to face Saran in their rescheduled Liqui Moly StarLigue Round 13 match. On Thursday, they will be back in European action, taking on Zaporozhye in Ukraine in EHF Champions League Matchday 11 action.

TO FOLLOW THE GAME (THROW-OFF AT 20:00):

- Television: LNH TV
- Our social networks: via our live-tweet

(Credits: A. Gadoffre/TeamPics/PSG)