Preview: 5 things about Istres - Paris

1 - Form

Back in the top flight after a year's absence, Istres have got off to a flying start this season. The Provençal outfit are fifth after seven games, with a record of four wins and three defeats. The victories have been achieved with conviction and without a moment's hesitation, be it at home against Ivry (36-25) and Chambéry (34-31) or away against Cesson-Rennes (28-33) and Nîmes (29-34). While the defeats suffered by Istres so far have been straightforward, they have all come against European-level opposition. Gilles Derot's men were powerless against Nantes (43-31), Limoges (29-36) and Montpellier (26-37).

Paris, for their part, have found their rhythm early in the season, and are managing to overcome the busy schedule they face. Three days after a perilous but successful trip to Füchse Berlin in the Champions League (38-40), the capital club are back on the road, this time in the league. Against Istres, Raul Gonzalez's men will be looking to continue their unbeaten run and build their confidence ahead of next week's summit clash with Montpellier at Coubertin. Last time out in the league, the Parisians came up against a valiant Chartres side (36-26), who gave them a run for their money before succumbing in the second half.

2 - Paris face the early-season surprise package

Promoted as runners-up at the end of last season's Proligue, Istres are determined to stay in the top flight. The team from Provence are undoubtedly the surprise package at the start of the season, sitting pretty in fifth place. Led by Gilles Derot, Istres can count on a number of key players, but the star of the early season is Romain Mathias. The 27-year-old, who arrived from Sélestat in the summer, has dominated the save charts this season, making 88 stops with an average success rate of 32%. During a trip to Cesson-Rennes on Matchday 4 (28-32), the Provençal goalkeeper made 18 saves at a 42% clip - the best performance by a keeper in the league this season. Aside from the quality of their goalkeeper, it is in attack that Istres shine. With 223 goals scored after seven rounds, the promoted club has the fourth most potent attacking force in the league, behind the three giants that are our Rouge et Bleu (265), Montpellier (239) and Nantes (236).

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3 - Parisian youngsters in top form

With a perfect record in the league this season, the capital club can count on an unrivalled squad and impeccable team spirit to maintain their run. With the matches coming thick and fast, Raul Gonzalez is relying on his entire squad in the league, not hesitating to give a chance to a number of Parisian players such as Noa Narcisse, Wallem Peleka, Léo Plantin and Gautier Loredon, all of whom are implementing the Spanish coach's tactics to perfection. Supervised by Luc Steins, the league's assists leader with 66, and Elohim Prandi, who has already proved decisive 87 times this season (43 goals and 44 assists), our young Rouge et Bleu players are shining as they learn from their elders.

4 - Head to head

Despite being relegated at the end of the 2022-2023 season, Istres are still a team used to playing in the top flight. This Sunday, the Parisians and the Provençals will cross swords for the 26th time in their history. The record books are largely in the capital club's favour, with 19 wins. Even away from home, Les Rouge et Bleu have been clinical, losing just once in their history at the Halle Polyvalente in Istres, for one draw and eleven wins. The last time they travelled to the southern town, Paris came away with a straightforward 35-28 victory, their eleventh in a row against their opponents on the night.

5 - To follow the match

Throw-off: 16:00

Streaming: Handball TV

Social networks: live-tweet

(Credits: E. Renard/Team Pics/PSG)