While FIFA, or FC24 as it’s now known, has lost its tactical touch in recent editions, your chosen formation will go a long way in determining the outcome of the game. So before you go looking for EAFC boosting services to up your level in Ultimate Team, take a look at the 5 best FIFA Formations at your disposal.
The Balanced 4-3-3 (2)
You can never go wrong with the 433 formation. This particular variation provides excellent balance for your team. The two wingers stretch the field in attack, while the CDM provides an additional cushion for the defenders behind. The CDM is probably the most important position here, so be sure to invest in a proper baller here. In this regard, it might be the right time to refer to a guide for buying FUT coins.
Suggested Tactics
- Defensive Style: Balanced
- Defensive Width: 45
- Depth: 60
- Build-Up Play: Balanced
- Chance Creation: Possession
Suggested Instructions
- LB: Stay back while attacking
- RB: Join the attack and overlapping runs.
- CDM: Stay back while attacking.
- RCM: Cover Wing
- LW: Cut Inside
- RW: Maintain width and get in behind.
- ST: Stay Forward
The great thing about 433 is its diversity. It’s suitable for such a vast number of styles. Historically, Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona and City teams have used it to dictate the tempo and dominate possession, while Real Madrid has used it for dynamic counter-attacking football. The above settings should provide you with a general framework, and you can then customize it according to your preferred playstyle. If you are looking to play this formation on your Xbox, you should know about FIFA coins Xbox.
Win the Midfield Battle with 4-4-2
The 442 formation has been one of the most used formations in the game over the years, and for good reason. It is a structurally sound formation, with the main strength coming from the numbers in midfield. Having four hardworking midfielders means you are hardly ever going to lose the midfield battle. Additionally, you can win the ball back quickly in dangerous areas and launch deadly counterattacks.
Suggested Tactics
- Defensive Style: Balanced
- Defensive Width: 50
- Depth: 55
- Build-Up Play: Fast Build-Up
- Chance Creation: Forward Runs
Suggested Instructions
- LB: Balanced and Overlapping Runs
- RB: Balanced and Overlapping Runs
- LM and RM: Come back on defense and get into the box for crosses.
- LS: Get in behind (ideally the faster striker of the two).
The main drawback of the 442 formation is the lack of width due to the absence of wingers. This has to be compensated by overlapping runs from the midfielders and especially the fullbacks. This may leave you exposed at the back counters, so be sure not to overcommit!
Transitional excellence with 4-2-3-1
We’ve all played with this formation at some point, haven’t we? The 4231 formation is great for those of you who rely on risky, quick transitional plays. The CDMs will provide you with extra control and the ability to win the ball back quicker, and they will pass the ball onto the three CAMs upfront, who can bombard the opposition half.
The problem comes from the weak link between the attacking line and the defensive line. Once the CAMs charge forward, they can leave a pretty sizable hole in the midfield for the CDMs to fill. But if you play your cards right, you can make the most of this fluid formation.
Suggested Tactics
- Defensive Style: Balanced
- Defensive Width: 40
- Depth: 57 (the CDMs will fill the midfield better this way).
- Build-Up Play: Fast Build-Up
- Chance Creation: Forward Runs
Suggested Instructions
- LB: Stay back while attacking.
- RB: Balanced
- Left CDM: Stay back while attacking.
- Right CDM: balanced; cut passing lanes.
- Left and right CAMs: need to provide width
- Striker: Stay Central
Overload the Center with 4-1-2-1-2 (2)
Perfect for those of you who love playing centrally rather than on the wings. The central areas are flooded with your players, which means you have the opportunity to play quick one-twos with your teammates and move the ball forward. This, of course, means that your short passing ability should be reasonably good; otherwise, there is little point in going for this setup. Most of the creative responsibility up front will be on the CAM.
Suggested Tactics
- Defensive Style: Pressure on Heavy Touch
- Defensive Width: 45
- Depth: 50
- Build-Up Play: Fast Build-Up
- Chance Creation: Direct Passing
Suggested Instructions
- LB: Get forward and Overlapping Runs
- RB: Balanced and Overlapping Runs
- CDM: Stay back while attacking.
- CMs: Drift wide and cover wings
- CAM: Free Roam attacking freedom
- LS: Get in behind (ideally the faster striker of the two).
Show Aggression with 4-2-2-2
If you like to go in all guns blazing, the 4-2-2-2 formation is made just for you. The two strikers up front are flanked by two attacking midfielders who not only provide substantial width but also an outlet for quick, intricate passing in the final third. This opens up the door to some deadly combinations in and around the opposition box. On the other side of the field, the two CDMs provide ample cover for the defense and link up nicely with the attacking CMs up front.
Suggested Tactics
- Defensive Style: Pressure on Heavy Touch
- Defensive Width: 50
- Depth: 60
- Build-Up Play: Balanced
- Chance Creation: Possession
Suggested Instructions
- LB: Balanced and Overlapping Runs
- RB: Stay back while attacking.
- Left CDM: Stay back while attacking.
- Right CDM: balanced; cut passing lanes.
- Left Mid: Come back on defense.
- LS: Get in behind (ideally the faster striker of the two).
In case you need extra width in attack, the LB provides the option to overlap and stretch the opposition’s backline. This will create extra space for your attacking players to exploit. Alternatively, you could instruct your attacking midfielders to drift wide and the fullback to make underlapping runs instead. This is an interesting option and certainly adds to the versatility of your attack.
