Preview: 5 things about Paris-Dunkerque

Avant-match

On Sunday, Paris Saint-Germain Handball play host to Dunkerque at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin. Find out all you need to know about this Round 26 Liqui Moly StarLigue match.

1 - THE TABLE

As the final month of the competition approaches, the capital club are still top of the Liqui Moly StarLigue. Raul Gonzalez's men are three points clear of Nantes, and are therefore still in the ideal position to win an 11th French league title - their tenth in a row.

Dunkerque, meanwhile, are tenth on the table and are enjoying a pressure-free end to the season, with no further involvement in either the race for Europe or the fight to stay up. After springing a surprise against Nîmes last time out (31-26), Franck Maurice and his men will be keen to continue their fine run of form and pull off an upset at Coubertin to end a run of 17 consecutive defeats against the Parisians.

2 - A WALL NAMED VALENTIN KIEFFER

Raul Gonzalez's side will need to get the better of Valentin Kieffer, who is enjoying by far the best season of his young career, if they are to claim their 18th consecutive victory over their northern opponents and take another step towards the title. With 260 saves - at a 32.5% clip - to his name, the 24-year-old keeper is second to none in the Liqui Moly StarLigue. On Matchday 22 at Dijon (25-32), he created a sensation with a season-high 21 saves. Imperious in defence, Dunkerque's No.77 is also at the heart of the Nordistes' counter-attacks, and is one of the top assist providers in his position. Les Rouge et Bleu will have to work hard to beat Valentin Kieffer, but they do have the league's top scorer in their ranks...

3 - ANOTHER CLASH OF GOALSCORERS

This meeting between Paris and Dunkerque will provide an opportunity to witness the duel between Liqui Moly StarLigue's two top scorers: Kamil Syprzak and Tom Pelayo. Be it in the league (180 goals) or in the Champions League, where this week he passed the 600-goal mark in the competition with Paris, our Polish pivot is at the heart of the Rouge et Bleu attack. Against Dunkerque, Kamil could already surpass the total number of goals he scored in the league last season (184). Les Nordistes are not to be outdone, however, with Tom Pelayo having established himself as a major asset to Franck Maurice's squad. With 23 goals in the last three games, including nine against Montpellier, the right-back will be keen to improve his tally and close the gap on Kamil in the race for top scorer.

4 - HEAD TO HEAD

A true classic of the French championship, this meeting between Paris and Dunkerque will be the 37th between the two sides in this competition. So far, the capital club have won 26 times, lost nine and drawn one. Les Rouge et Bleu will be looking to extend their impressive run of 17 consecutive wins against Dunkerque and take another step towards the league title. In the first meeting between the sides this season, back in Round 4, Paris produced a perfect performance at the Stade des Flandres (33-42).

5 - TO FOLLOW THE MATCH

Throw-off: 17:00, at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin

Television: BeIn Sports 2

Social networks: Live-tweet

(Credits: L. Valroff/ Team Pics/PSG)