Alright lads, let's dive into the top four formations and custom tactics I use to dominate in Elite and climb the ranks in Foot Champs. Let's get it!
4-2-3-1 Wide: The Balanced Beast
This is my go-to formation right now, especially if you're looking for a balanced approach. We've built this to counter the 4-2-1-3, which is a solid starting point for many.
- Build Up Play: Short Passing is key. This helps you break down those opponents who love to crank up the depth to 95. Your players will find better passing options when you're under pressure, making it easier to escape and score those simple goals.
- Depth: 70. We're pretty much using 70 across the board for most of these tactics, with maybe one or two exceptions.
- Player Instructions:
- Fullbacks: Stay Back While Attacking.
- Right Mid: Winger (to provide width).
- CAM: Advanced Forward.
- Shadow Striker: Advanced Forward.
This setup essentially gives you two strikers up top, which is fantastic. The left and right mids are always there for passing options, especially with short passing. This is, in my opinion, the most solid formation in the game. If you're looking for a reliable starting point, this is it.
4-2-1-3: The Counter-Attacking Machine
This is my plan B, the one I bring out when I need to apply more pressure later in the game. I might even crank the depth up to 95 if I'm chasing a goal.
- Build Up Play: Short Passing is crucial here too. You still want to be able to counter those high depths. Short passing also helps the left and right wings show for passing options more often.
- Depth: 70.
- Player Instructions:
- Fullbacks: Stay Back While Attacking.
- CDMs: One on Deep Line Playmaker, the other on Holding Defend.
- CAM: Playmaker (to link up play).
- Wingers: Inside Forward.
- Striker: Advanced Forward.
This is the best counter-attacking formation in the game.
4-4-2 Holding: The Underrated Gem
This formation offers everything the 4-2-1-3 does, in my opinion. It's incredibly underrated.
- Build Up Play: Short Passing is the cure for those 95 depth teams.
- Depth: 70.
- Player Instructions:
- CDMs: Both on Deep Line Playmaker.
- Fullbacks: Stay Back While Attacking.
- Wingers: Inside Forward.
- Strikers: Both on Advanced Forward.
- Left Striker: Support.
The support striker should have the best passing stats of your two strikers. This formation gives you the most balance out of all the ones I've shown you today.
4-2-2-2: The Comeback Kid
This is probably the most popular formation in FC25 right now. It's solid, especially when you're losing and trying to get back into a game.
- Build Up Play:
- Depth: 70.
- Player Instructions:
- CDMs: Stay Back While Attacking.
- Fullbacks: Stay Back While Attacking.
- Left CAM: Shadow Striker.
- Right CAM: Half Winger.
- Left Striker: Poacher, Support.
- Right Striker: Advanced Forward.
If you want more defensive solidity, changing the right CAM to a Playmaker will help.