Preview: PSG Handball - Montpellier

News

On Thursday evening, the biggest clash of Lidl StarLigue Round 9 will be played at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin as league leaders Paris Saint-Germain Handball play host to nearest rivals Montpellier in a match that promises to raise the roof!

Turning point
Whatever the outcome of Thursday's match, this four-pointer will likely prove crucial for how the season plays out. First for Les Rouge et Bleu, who could go six points clear of their rivals with a win, leaving them to perhaps be caught by a number of pursuers currently on ten points (Aix, Nîmes, Nantes and Toulouse). On the other hand, a win for Montpelier would see them draw to within two points of our side at the top of the Lidl StarLigue standings.

Two great starts
With seven wins in seven league matches, our club's start to the season couldn't be better. Raul Gonzalez's men have achieved some excellent results, notably victory in Nîmes (28-31) and over Nantes (32-29) and Chambéry (32-29) at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin. However, Montpellier's record is only slightly less impressive: apart from a narrow loss conceded against Nîmes (25-24) and draws in Saint-Raphaël (29-29) and Istres (25-25), Montpellier have won all their matches. Among their noteworthy results, were a two-point haul won in a see-sawing encounter against Chambéry (28-27).

A look back at recent matches
The sides have already met once this season: at the end of August, they faced off in Limoges for the Trophée des Champions. The Parisians won (34-27), thanks to an exceptional game from Mikkel Hansen, who scored 11 times, but also from Vincent Gérard, who with his 17 saves, was voted best player of the match. In terms of historical clashes in Lidl StarLigue, Les Rouge et Bleu lead with 13 wins for two draws and 12 losses and are currently on a run of three straight wins. Paris and Montpellier will meet again at Coubertin, before the winter break, during their Coupe de la Ligue quarter-final on 5 December.

Key stats
Last Saturday, Paris Saint-Germain Handball faced the league's best defence - Aix - and passed the test perfectly well, scoring 36 goals to relegate the PAUC to third place on the table. On Thursday, our team will once again face a very good rear-guard: MHB are now second in this area, with just 205 goals conceded. Fortunately, the Parisian attacking line is the best in Lidl StarLigue (before the start of Matchday 9), with 266 goals (an average of 33 per game). More broadly, Les Rouge et Bleu could notch a 54th consecutive game without defeat at home in all competitions, but also a 31st consecutive win on home soil in the French handball elite.

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A post shared by Paris Saint-Germain Handball (@psghandofficiel) on Nov 12, 2019 at 11:52am PST

To follow the match (kick-off at 20:45)
- Television: beIN SPORTS 1
- At the Pierre de Coubertin Stadium: get your tickets on our official website
- Live tweet: our official page

(Credits: J. Azouze/PSG)