What’s up, guys? Today, we’re diving into the 4-2-3-1 Wide formation in FIFA/EA FC Ultimate Team. This formation is honestly underutilized, and if you’re a fan of setups like the 4-2-1-3 or the 4-4-1-1, you’ll find the 4-2-3-1 Wide to be in the same meta category. It’s got that perfect balance of a central attacking midfielder (CAM) and two defensive midfielders (CDMs), but with the added twist of left and right mids instead of traditional wingers. This makes it a great option if you’ve struggled with buildup play in other formations. Plus, with the new player roles introduced in the recent patch, your midfield becomes super involved in both defense and attack, giving you a well-rounded setup.
Why the 4-2-3-1 Wide is Meta
If I were to list the top meta formations right now, the 4-2-3-1 Wide would definitely be up there alongside the 4-2-1-3, 4-4-1-1, and 4-4-2. The fifth spot could go to something like the 4-5-1 or 4-1-4-1, but honestly, it’s a toss-up. The 4-2-3-1 Wide stands out because of its versatility. You’ve got your CAM and CDMs, but the wide mids give you more flexibility in buildup play, especially if you’ve had issues with the 4-2-3-1 narrow. The formation also benefits from the new player roles, making your midfielders active in every phase of the game—defensively and offensively.
Custom Tactics Breakdown
Let’s get into the custom tactics. Here’s what I’m running:
- Build-Up Style: Balanced
- Defensive Approach: High (set to 70)
I’ve set the defensive approach to 70 because I wanted a higher defensive line. However, this is where you can tweak things based on your comfort level. If you’re used to a lower defensive line, like 50, stick with that. The game feels like it’s been tweaked every week, so there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. For example, I’ve experimented with 91 defensive approach, but it requires a lot of manual defending and covering spaces. If you’re up for the challenge, go for it, but if you prefer a more relaxed defense, stick to 50 or somewhere in the middle.
Player Roles and Instructions
Striker
- Role: Advanced Forward (Attack)
This is pretty standard. Your striker should always be on Advanced Forward when playing solo up front. It’s the most effective role for a lone striker.
CAM
- Role: Shadow Striker or Playmaker
This is where you can really tailor the formation to your playstyle. Personally, I’m a big fan of the Shadow Striker role because it acts like a second striker, making runs to the left or right of your main striker. This creates a dynamic front two, with your midfielders stepping up to support.
However, if you prefer a more creative CAM, go with Playmaker. This role will drop deeper during buildup, forming a midfield trio with your CDMs. This setup gives you more passing options and creates triangles with your wide mids. It’s perfect if you like to dominate possession and break down your opponent with intricate passing.
I don’t recommend the Classic 10 role because it’s essentially a less effective Shadow Striker. If you want runs in behind, just stick with Shadow Striker.
Wide Mids
- Role: Inside Forward (Balanced)
Your left and right mids should be set to Inside Forward with a balanced approach. This ensures they cut inside when attacking, creating goal-scoring opportunities while still supporting the buildup.
CDMs
- Role: Deep-Lying Playmaker (Buildup)
I love having both CDMs on Deep-Lying Playmaker. They step up high during attacks, often positioning themselves at the edge of the box. This gives you an extra passing option and allows them to deliver incisive passes or long balls to your forwards. Make sure your CDMs have good passing playstyles, like Incisive Pass Plus or Long Ball Pass Plus, to maximize their effectiveness.
Fullbacks
- Role: Defend
With the way the game feels post-patch (or post-weekly tweaks, as it seems), you can’t afford to have your fullbacks pushing up too high. Set them to Defend to ensure they stay back and cover your defensive line. This formation already has plenty of attacking threats, so you don’t need overlapping fullbacks.
Key Adjustments to Fit Your Playstyle
There are two main areas where you can tweak the formation to suit your preferences:
- Defensive Approach: Adjust this based on how aggressive or conservative you want your defense to be.
- CAM Role: Choose between Shadow Striker for goal-scoring runs or Playmaker for creative buildup.
Both options are viable, so experiment with them in a few games to see what works best for you.
Final Thoughts
The 4-2-3-1 Wide is a versatile and balanced formation that can adapt to different playstyles. Whether you prefer a dynamic front two with a Shadow Striker or a possession-based approach with a Playmaker, this formation has you covered. Just remember to tweak the defensive approach and CAM role to match your comfort level.
If you have any questions or want to share your own custom tactics, drop a comment below. And if you’re not already part of the community, join the Discord for more tactics and gameplay tips. Happy gaming!