Preview: 5 things about Créteil - Paris

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On Friday evening, Paris Saint-Germain Handball take part in Liqui Moly StarLigue Round 22, making the short trip to the Palais des Sports Robert Oubron to challenge Créteil.

1 - THE TABLE

Créteil are close to clinching their main objective: beating the drop. Our future opponents are currently in 12th place, with a five-point lead over the top safe side Istres, whom they will host in late April.

For their part, Les Rouge et Bleu are still in second place (tied with Nantes, but with a better head-to-head goal difference) and are only two points behind leaders Montpellier. They still have their destiny in their hands, since they will play host Montpellier in Round 25 with just a one-goal deficit to make up after the first leg, in Montpellier, ended 31-30. 

2 - KEY STATS 

As usual since the beginning of the season, the Parisian attack is the league's most prolific, with 751 goals scored, thanks to Kamil Syprzak's 108 goals and Elohim Prandi's 123 (they are both in the Top 10 on the scorers chart). USC, meanwhile, have scored 626 goals (their top scorer is Tiago Alves Ponciano, with 98 goals). 

It is at the other end of the court that things are more complicated for the side from Val-de-Marne. Despite 142 saves from Todor Jandric, they sit bottom on the defensive table, with 696 goals conceded. Paris are doing better in this field (fifth-best rear-guard, 633 goals conceded). Andreas Palicka has racked up 177 saves and is one of the five best 'keepers in the Liqui Moly StarLigue. 

3 - A LOOK BACK AT THE FIRST MATCH

At the beginning of October, the two teams faced each other at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin in Round 4. Despite a strong final result (35-26), the game was no walk in the park for Raul Gonzalez's men. The home side managed to accelerate at the end of the game, but only after being neck and neck for almost 45 minutes (44': 22-22).

4 - HEAD TO HEAD

This derby is a classic of French handball and Friday will see it played for a 28th time. The Parisians dominate the record with 16 victories, with eight defeats and three draws. They are currently on a nine-game winning streak against Créteil in the league. 

5 - TO FOLLOW THE MATCH

Throw-off: 20:00
Television: beIN SPORTS 3
Social networks: Live-tweet

(L. Valroff/Team Pics/PSG)