All you need to know about Nîmes - PSG Handball

News

After a week without a match, Paris Saint-Germain Handball are back in action, facing Liqui Moly StarLigue co-leaders Nîmes at their Parnasse arena in Round 5 action on Saturday night.

Top-of-the-table clash
This weekend's clash pits the only two teams in the league to have won their first four matches against each other. Les Rouge et Bleu are in the lead thanks to a better goal difference (+51, against +21 for USAM). The Parisian victory last week against Cesson-Rennes, which was the biggest league win in Club history (45-22), is a good example of why this is the case.

For their part, Nîmes have looked masterful in each of their appearances, notably their last match, in Dunkerque, where they won by eight points (21-29). They also beat the northern side in their midweek Coupe de la Ligue tie (29-30).

European representatives
Seeing these two teams shine within France's borders is very good news, as they are representing France in European competition this season. While the Parisians are playing in a very tough group (alongside Barcelona, Veszprém, Kielce...) in the EHF Champions League, Nîmes are in the EHF European League. After beating CSKA Moscow in the play-offs (65-58 on aggregate), they will start their group stage on 19 October.

Great statistics
Without surprise, Nîmes and Paris are among the most efficient teams in terms of statistics! Defensively, Nîmes are the best-performing team in the league with only 103 goals conceded, but our rearguard is not far behind in fourth place (107 goals conceded). Offensively, it's the opposite! The capital club dominate with 158 goals already scored (an average of 39 per game), while Nîmes are third with 124.

Two of our future opponents have been particularly brilliant since the beginning of the season and they occupy both ends of the court. The first, Rémi Desbonnet, sits fourth on the saves chart, with 41, including 12 in the clash with Limoges (30-28). The second is none other than Egyptian right-winger Mohammad Sanad. He too is in fourth place - on the scorers chart, with 29 goals. He had started his season very well, with a 10 from 11 against Saran (31-26).

Elohim Prandi comes full circle
Before joining the capital last season, Elohim Prandi played three seasons with the Green Team, scoring 192 often spectacular goals! Last year, he made his first return to Parnasse, but the match was played without fans and so this trip will be his first in front of his old supporters.

Head to head
This is the 31st Liqui Moly StarLigue meeting between the two teams. Paris Saint-Germain Handball have the upper hand, with 21 wins, two draws and seven defeats. Les Rouge et Bleu are on a five-game winning streak, but also on a seven-game undefeated streak against USAM.

To follow the match (kick-off at 20:00):
- Television: beIN SPORTS 3
- Our social networks: via our live-tweet

(Credits: A. Gadoffre/TeamPics/PSG)