Preview: 5 things about Paris - Nîmes

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On Sunday afternoon, Paris Saint-Germain Handball play the last match of their season at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin (they will play their final match of the season away to Aix at the Accor Arena). Les Rouge et Bleu play host to Nîmes in Round 28.

1 - THE TABLE

Although they may not be crowned champions this weekend (following Nantes's 31-33 win at Montpellier), the capital club could go one step closer to another title; if they beat USAM, all they will need after that is one win in their last two games.

Seventh-placed Nîmes, for their part, have a chance to close in on the top five. The side from the Gard region are just two points behind Limoges.

2 - DIFFERENT ATTACKS

In terms of attack, the two teams are having vastly different seasons. The Parisians have shone in attack and top the attacking table with 971 goals. This statistic is largely due to a record-breaking Kamil Syprzak. The Polish pivot is the competition's top scorer with 191 goals and has already beaten his previous record of 184 in a single season in France. For Nîmes, things are a little more complicated... Despite Mohammad Sanad's 80 goals, USAM are having trouble finding the back of the net. In fact, they have only managed to do so 783 times, a paucity of strikes that only Saran have outdone (771).

 

3 - VERY CLOSE DEFENCES

At the other end of the court, the Green Team are far more effective. We have to mention Jose Baznik, who has had an exceptional season in the Nîmes goal. His 261 saves make him the second-most effective keeper in the competition (behind Dunkerque's Valentin Kieffer, with 280). With just 805 goals conceded, Nîmes have the fourth-best defence in the division, but the Parisian rearguard sit just ahead of them (796). On the individual front, the task has been shared between Jannick Green's 223 shots saved and Andreas Palicka's 128. The Scandinavian duo have ably backed up by Leo Villain's 16 saves.

4 - HEAD TO HEAD

In the first leg, the Parisians' last match of 2023, Andreas made an outstanding contribution to Les Rouge et Bleu's 24-34 win with 12 saves. Overall, the capital club dominate the head-to-head record with 26 wins, two draws and just seven defeats.

5 - TO FOLLOW THE MATCH

Throw-off: 17:00

Television: beIN SPORTS 3

Social networks: Live-tweet

At the Stade Pierre de Coubertin: our official website

(Credits : J. Azouze/PSG)