Paris-Créteil preview: Keep it rolling at Coubertin

Avant-match

Just a few days after their crucial victory away to Szeged in the first leg of the EHF Champions League play-offs, our Parisians are back in action in the Liqui Moly StarLigue. Find out everything you need to know about the match against Créteil.

Title race and relegation in the mix

Winners over Ivry (28-41) last week as league action resmed fter the international break, our Rouge et Bleus are keeping up the pace at the top of the league. With ten matchdays left in this exciting season, Paris still have a one-point lead over Nantes. Beaten at Coubertin just before the break (34-28), The H relinquished top spot to Raul Gonzalez's men. However, the capital club can't afford any slip-ups in the business end of the season, as any misstep could prove fatal.

It's the same story for Créteil, but in a very different context. After saving their skins on the final day of last season, Créteil are once again battling the drop. As the final stretch approaches, they are only four points ahead of the relegation zone and will have to fight to the end to survive and play in a sixth consecutive Liqui Moly StarLigue season. With just one win in their last five games - a derby triumph against Ivry - the team from the Paris region will be keen to spring an upset and draw closer to their goal.

Opposition strengths

Christophe Esparre has a squad with diverse and varied strengths, including promising talents and experienced leaders. The back-line in particular could be one of the main dangers for Paris. In addition to the Todor Jandric - Anders Hansen duo in goal, there is a young talent who could cause problems for our Rouge et Bleu: Belco Aveya. The 20-year-old left-back recently finished top scorer (7 goals) and MVP of the Tiby final won against Spain alongside several Parisians (Stanis Soullier, Noa Narcisse, Amara Karamoko) with France's U21 side. A promising talent who will benefit from the experience of the pivot duo of Valentin Aman and Rémi Leventoux, as well as Bruno Butoric on the right (all three of whom are in their thirties).

Vos billets pour Paris - Créteil 

In attack, the future also looks bright, with the presence of dazzling centre-half Alejandro Barbeito (23 years old). Already with 74 goals this season, the Spaniard forms a complementary duo with Dorde Dekic, who its second on the league's assists chart (127 assists) behind Luc Steins (164). The Serb will be one of the threats to watch out for, as he knows how to deliver the perfect pass through the centre or on the wings, where Samuel Deen maruads on the left and Mario Lopez Alvarez on the opposite side. The Spanish right-winger, who has been Créteil's top scorer for the last three seasons, is once again proving to be the offensive leader for Christophe Esparre's men this season.

Key stats

  • On Sunday, Paris and Créteil will face each other for the 32nd time in their history. The record so far is largely in favour of our Rouge et Bleu, who have won 20 times, with eight defeats and three draws.
  • In the reverse fixture earlier this eason, Paris recorded what is still their biggest victory of the season in all competitions (31-45). It was a match in which Jannick Green shone particularly brightly, setting his league save record in a Parisian shirt (19).
  • The capital club is on a run of 13 consecutive league victories against Créteil - its longest winning run against the side from the Paris region.

Liqui Moly StarLigue Matchday 20 fixtures and results

Friday 28 March, 20:00

Toulouse 33-27 Cesson Rennes

Nîmes 30-21 Ivry

Montpellier 29-25 Tremblay

Saturday 29 March, 20:00

Dunkerque - Chambéry

Limoges - Saint-Raphaël

Sunday 30 March, 17:00

Paris - Créteil, streamed on HandballTV and to be followed on our live-tweet.

Istres - Nantes

(Credits: L. Valroff/PSG)