Preview: 5 things about Paris-Montpellier

Avant-match

On Sunday, Les Rouge et Bleu take on Montpellier at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin. Find out all you need to know about this Liqui Moly StarLigue Matchday 9 clash.

1 - Form

Ever since their slip-up at Veszprém (41-28) last month, our Parisians have looked unstoppable. Leaders in the league and co-leaders in the EHF Champions League, Raul Gonzalez's men are riding an eleven-game winning streak in all competitions. Les Rouge et Bleu will be keen to round off the first quarter of the season with another win, which could prove crucial in the title race, against one of their biggest rivals.

The capital club may be in superb form, but so are Montpellier. The MHB have made a successful transition following the departure of emblematic coach Patrice Cannayer. Now under the command of Erick Mathé, the south-western outfit have conceded just one defeat in all competitions this season - a 29-26 defeat to Nantes. That defeat means Montpellier are now in joint fourth place alongside Toulouse and Nantes. On the continental stage, the Sud de France Arena outfit have an unblemished record after four rounds and have already booked their place in the next round of the EHF European League.

2 - Paris attack hard...

Elohim Prandi and Kamil Syprzak were joint top scorers against Sporting (30-28) this week with six goals (alongside Yahia Omar), and they continue to give French defences nightmares. While the France international has 48 league goals to his name, his Polish counterpart has 60, making him one of the top three scorers in the Liqui Moly StarLigue. It's no surprise, then, to find Les Rouge et Bleu at the top of the scoring chart, with 299 goals to their name.

3 - ... Montpellier defend well

Montpellier's efficiency in front of goal (277 goals scored) is also reflected in their defensive solidity. With just 222 goals conceded (compared with 237 for Paris), Montpellier's rearguard leaves little opportunity for opponents to cause them problems. In fact, Rémi Desbonnet, Montpellier's last line of defence, has made 'only' 66 saves - a sign that he hasn't had too much work to do. But when he has been called on, he has stepped up brilliantly, as his 35% save rate testifies. His partner in goal, Charles Bolzinger (37 saves), has also been very solid. This week, on the European stage, it was the Zabrze front line that who were denied by the duo (12 saves, 57% effectiveness).

4 - Head to head

Sunday's clash will mark the 38th time the two sides have met in the French top flight. Over the years, the Parisians have gained the upper hand over their Mediterranean rivals and now boast a record of 21 wins to 13 losses (three draws). The capital club have rarely failed at home, however, with 14 wins from 19 clashes with Montpellier at Coubertin. Last season, Raul Gonzalez's men secured two crucial wins in the title race. On home soil, Andreas Palicka's 13 saves enabled Paris to continue their unbeaten run in the league. And three months later, in the return fixture at the Sud de France Arena, that streak was still intact. Buoyed by Kamil Syprzak's historic 13-goal haul, the club from the capital ran out deserved winners.

5 - To follow the match

Throw-off: 16:00 at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin

Television: beIN Sports

Social networks: live-tweet

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