Arminia Bielefeld to Swap Home Advantage With SV Westfalia Soest in Westfalenpokal

Bielefeld Concedes Home Advantage for Second Round Clash

Arminia Bielefeld, currently plying their trade in the German Bundesliga 2, has agreed to cede home advantage to SV Westfalia Soest in the second round of the Westfalenpokal. The decision was made due to the disparity in stadium capacities between the two clubs, with Bielefeld's Bielefelder Alm holding significantly more spectators than Soest's Lohrheide Stadion.

Details of the Fixture Swap

The second round match between Arminia Bielefeld and SV Westfalia Soest will now take place at the Lohrheide Stadion in Soest on August 9, 2023. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 CEST. Bielefeld, being the higher-ranked team, would traditionally have hosted the fixture at their home ground. However, the club has opted to grant Soest the hosting rights to provide their fans with a more intimate and memorable experience.

Significance for SV Westfalia Soest

For SV Westfalia Soest, a fourth-tier Regionalliga West club, hosting Arminia Bielefeld represents a significant occasion. The club's Lohrheide Stadion has a capacity of just over 4,000 spectators, while Bielefeld's Bielefelder Alm can accommodate over 26,000. This fixture will undoubtedly attract a large crowd and generate significant revenue for the lower-league club.

Recent Form and Head-to-Head Record

Arminia Bielefeld will enter the match as the heavy favorites, having secured promotion to Bundesliga 2 last season. The club has had a mixed start to their league campaign, winning one, drawing one, and losing one of their opening three fixtures. SV Westfalia Soest, on the other hand, is yet to win a match this season, drawing one and losing two of their opening three Regionalliga West fixtures. Statistically, Arminia Bielefeld holds a dominant head-to-head record against SV Westfalia Soest. The two clubs have met on five previous occasions, with Bielefeld winning four and Soest winning just one. Their most recent encounter was in the 2019-20 Westfalenpokal, which Bielefeld won 3-0.

Conclusion

The decision by Arminia Bielefeld to concede home advantage to SV Westfalia Soest in the second round of the Westfalenpokal is a commendable gesture that highlights the importance of fostering grassroots football. It will provide the lower-league club with a unique opportunity to host a high-profile match and generate revenue, while also giving their fans a memorable experience.