Preview: 5 things about Paris - Toulouse Round 19 Liqui Moly StarLigue 2023 2024

Avant-match

On Sunday, the capital club play host to Toulouse at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin, with the aim of continuing their perfect run in the league. Find out all you need to know about this Liqui Moly StarLigue Round 19 fixture.

1 - FORM

Parisians have been on a fine run of form in the league since returning to action after the international break, and will be keen to continue their perfect record. Winners at Montpellier last time out (31-26), Raul Gonzalez's men widened their lead at the top of the Liqui Moly StarLigue table following Nantes' 28-28 draw at Chartres. Les Rouge et Bleu, who lost in the last minute in Zagreb in midweek, will be keen to bounce back before facing Szeged at Coubertin on Wednesday.

Toulouse, who beat Dijon 44-41 in a spectacular Round 17 match, are also on a good run of form. Having qualified for the Coupe de France semi-finals and currently fourth in the Liqui Moly StarLigue, the team from the Occitania region took advantage of MHB's defeat by the capital club to close the gap to just two points.

2 - A GOALSCORING DUEL

This clash between Paris and Toulouse will provide an opportunity to observe a match within a match - featuring Liqui Moly StarLigue's two top scorers: Kamil Syprzak and Nemanja Ilic. Scorer of a personal-best 13 goals for Les Rouge et Bleu in the last two games, our pivot took the lead in the goalscoring charts last week. However, the Serbian winger is still banging them in, having scored 11 goals against Ivry in Round 16. The league's top scorer last season with 202 goals, Nemanja Ilic now sees his title being coveted more than ever by our number 21, who has just extended his adventure with the capital club until 2027.

3 - A SOLID REARGUARD

Toulouse can count on Nemanja Ilic's killer instinct in front of goal, but 'keeper Jef Lettens is every bit a imperious on his line. With 150 saves, the Belgian keeper is sixth in the table in this respect, not far behind Chartrain's Milan Bomastar (169 saves), who leads the way. Le Fenix's last line of defence has also established himself as a specialist at saving penalties this season, stopping 13 - only PAUC's Wesley Pardin has done better (16). The Parisians will therefore have to redouble their efforts to outwit Toulouse, whose defensive record is particularly close to that of the capital club.

4 - HEAD TO HEAD

Throughout its history, Paris has often got the better of Toulouse. In their 37 meetings, Les Rouge et Bleu have won 30 times, losing five and drawing two. In the first meeting between the clubs this season, Raul Gonzalez's men had to work hard to overcome the Occitanians at the Palais des Sports in Toulouse (31-34). After a tight encounter, Kamil (7 goals) led the way in money-time, enabling his side to continue their perfect run in the Liqui Moly StarLigue.

5 - TO FOLLOW THE MATCH

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

Streaming: Handball TV

Social networks: Live-Tweet

(Credits: J. Azouze/PSG)