Preview: 5 things about Dunkerque - Paris

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On Sunday afternoon, Paris Saint-Germain Handball will be looking to continue their unblemished start to the Liqui Moly StarLigue season as they travel to the north of France to take on Dunkerque at the Stades de Flandres.

 1 - THE TABLE

It hasn't been the best start for the northern outfit. In their first three matches, they have won once (against Aix) but also lost twice (to Toulouse and Nîmes). On the other hand, they are unbeaten at their home ground, where it is never easy for visitors to get a result.

Les Rouge et Bleu have made a better start to the season. Our team has won its first three games, against Limoges (37-27), Ivry (34-38) and Créteil (35-27). Only Nîmes, Montpellier and Nantes have done as well.

 

2 - KEY STATS

This season, Kamil Syprzak is still just as fond of finding the back of the net as ever! He is currently one of the league's top scorers, with 24 goals at a strike rate of 85%. Tom Pelayo, the Dunkerque player with the most goals is just ahead with 27.

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Defensively, Jannick Green's start to the season has been nothing short of sensational. Although he did not start at Ivry, he shone in his two appearances, against Limoges and Créteil. He has already made 37 saves and won 41% of his duels with opposing Liqui Moly StarLigue forwards. For USDK, Valentin Kieffer has made 45 saves. However, a few weeks ago the northern side lost a key figure in this sector.

3 - WITHOUT BELLAHCENE

Dunkerque captain Samir Bellahcene left France a few weeks ago to join Bundesliga side Kiel as a medical joker. The French international enjoyed several fine seasons in French handball, as evidenced by the 298 saves he made last season (his league record). Since then, he quickly made his mark at his new club and has already put in some excellent performances, notably in the EHF Champions League (12 saves this week in Pelister).

4 - HEAD TO HEAD

Once again, Paris will be taking on a team they know well. This clash will be the 36th meeting between these sides in the league, with the historical record going Paris' way with 25 wins to nine defeats and one draw. Last season, they won in style at the Stade de Flandres, with an unplayable Elohim Prandi setting a new personal single-match record of 14 goals (from 16 shots).

5 - TO FOLLOW THE MATCH

Kick-off: 17:00
Television: beIN SPORTS 3
Social networks: Live-Tweet

(Credits: J.Azouze/PSG)