While in real life the teams have to continuously keep changing their formations depending on the situation, FIFA 20 allows players to have a bit more of a rigid formation structure in FUT to tighten things up a bit. This FUT Guide will break down all the possible team formations.
FIFA 20 FUT Formations
There are quite a number of formations you can choose in FIFA Ultimate Team Mode and below we have listed them all for you.
5-4-1 Flat
Considering the 5 in the back formations, this can be counted solid enough in terms of defense and overall form.
You get 2 players on both wings and if you choose players with good stamina for those spots, you would be able to give the opposing defenders a hard time. This can work well when you have progressed enough in the game.
You need to play the way it must be played in order to take care of those weak wing areas otherwise this formation will not work. This formation has exposed areas in from of the left and rightmost players on the wings. Take care of those.
5-3-2
This can be considered as the best of the five in the back formations. Considering defensive and the structure, on the whole, this one takes the lead. This formation is more balanced because of the more CM it has.
It is very strong in the midfield and its defense always stands strong. Try to keep two quick forwards and you would be given the opposition’s defense a very hard time.
The three CM in the front make this formation lacks the natural width and you need to balance the work rate for these CMs. The options become more limited if the 3 CMs sit deeper.
The ST’s will however not be isolated if this is done for the whole game and defense would become easier. The defense could’ve been made stronger by making the CMs back the 5 defensive players.
5-2-1-2
Jack of all trades, formation containing a little part of everything. The key width you need is provided by the wide players and the playmaker role is fulfilled by the CM to provide you with the 2 CAM’s in combination with the ST to score a goal.
If you don’t use CM as the focal point of the play then you would find it be lost and out of position. Involving the 2 CAM’s can sometimes not turn out in your favor because of the less space they have to play.
You can be left exposed on the wing by the low defensive work of RM and LM.
4-5-1 Attack
It claims to be the best formation that can retain the ball for the longest. Key width is provided by the wide players and the main playmaker is the CM.
The 2 CAM’s get ample space for joining with the ST due to the help of the CM which can get you a lot of goals.
The same as the 5-2-1-2, if you are not using the CM as the focal point of your play then you will find it to be lost and out of position.
Involving the 2 CAM’s can sometimes not turn out in your favor because of the less space they have to play. You can be left exposed on the wing by the low defensive work of RM and LM.
4-5-1 Flat
This formation also claims to be the best for retaining possession of the ball.
The same as above, wide players provide the key width and the 3 MC’s are the playmakers providing every other player room to join in with the ST that can then get opportunities to score goals.
The cons with this formation are that the CMs get too close for comfort and overlap each other’s play. You need to plan a mixture of work rates for the CMs.
The RM and LM’s also have a low defensive work rate which can leave your wing exposed. Having medium to high workloads for attacking and defense will work best.
4-4-2 Flat
A classic but when you a generation of 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-2-1-2 then you would call it less fashionable. But as well know that old is gold, which is why this formation is still very well balanced and could be very effective if the right squad is chosen.
The 2 ST’s make this formation very dangerous because of the possibility of a 1-2 pass and being able to hold the ball in the 3rd of the pitch and even the midfielders can have some of this attack action.
If you don’t have the right squad and the correct distribution of workload, this formation will not work. You could be easily overrun in the midfield and chances of a counter-attack are more along with having the four at the back exposed.
The play can be dictated by a deep-lying playmaker like Pirlo which you have to avoid at all cost.
4-4-2 Holding
The same as the 4-4-2 flat, classic but less fashionable. Better than the 4-4-2 flat, well balanced and effective if the right squad is chosen.
The possibility of the 1-2 pass and holding the ball in the final 3rd remains with this one as well. Extra strength is provided by the 2 CDM’s as well.
Pros and cons of both the flat and holding 4-4-2 are the same to each other i.e. you need to the right player squad and the correct distribution of workload.
Overrunning you would be a piece of cake for anyone who has a good deep-lying player e.g. Pirlo.
4-4-1-1 Attack
If you prefer to build slowly and patiently through the team then this formation is great for you. For this formation, you have to focus on the CF who will be the one feeding balls to the ST and wide midfielders.
Another pro is the defense rigidness. Just be sure to not break any players out of their position and you will be immune to any breakdown.
You cannot counter-attack when using this formation which can be a hindrance to your play because of only having a CF and ST who are both available former to the ball and are central.
Your CF can leave you isolated up top due to a medium to high defensive work rate, so choose your CF with care.
4-3-3 False Nine
This could be the worse of 4-3-3 formations out there in FIFA 20. Although the 4-3-3’s are very well known because of its ability to combine your passing style with the shot passing in the middle along with the ability to do extended pass on the wings.
You get enough width form the two wingers and you get a lot of crossing opportunities. Its counter-attacking ability is a huge plus point.
The wide areas around the midfield are its main weakness. You make a diamond formation because of the CAM/CF you have there, which is also weak. 3-5-2 or a 5-3-2 can give you a lot of trouble.
4-3-3 Attack
If you want to play offensive using a 4-3-3 then this is the one for you. If has all the pros of a 4-3-3 as mentioned above. The counter-attacking in particular is better because the three midfielders will be joining the attack as well.
The CDM area can have a huge gap which makes this formation hard to recommend. Again, focus on your player squad and work rates.
4-3-3 Defend
This one is the most preferable out of the rest of the 4-3-3 despite them all being very similar having the same pros and cons. The only difference being the CDM providing better cover.
There is only one ST who will be left exposed when he goes forward. The wingers wouldn’t be able to cover if they have low pace or a medium or high defensive work rates.
You can eradicate this weakness by using the CDM’s by assigning them high defensive work rates.
4-3-3 Holding
The most well-known formation that a lot of people use in versus games. The three men in the middle are the strength of this formation, along with the three attacking options up front as well as the four in the back. Very healthy and balanced.
The only con that we felt in this formation is that in the central areas CAM or advanced midfielders cannot join in.
4-3-3 Fat
The same pros as mentioned for the 4-3-3 formations above. It has the same con as the 4-3-3 defend. Along with that if your CMs have high attacking & low defensive work rates then the 4 at the back will be left exposed.
You could get in trouble if you play against 4-2-2-2 or 4-3-2-1.
4-2-2-2
The same as the 4-3-3 fat but has more focus on the wide play. If you assign two high work rate, wide midfield men, just so that they are able to overlap past the LF and RF, this formation would work great.
This formation works very well for attacking but is a bit unbalanced. E.g. if a lot of players are pushed forward, and you lose the ball it would be very hard to regain possession.
It works best for players who prefer to play with width and cross the ball more often. You can get the best striker to handle all those crosses.
This one can be counter-attacked easily. This can be the case when the wingers have high work rates. You can get a bit of protection if you choose wingers with more defensive work rates and low attacking.
Just get 3 fast CB’s and deal crosses as much as you can to not let your wide areas be exposed.
4-1-4-1
This formation is very well structured for defense. That’s all there is to say about it. The lone striker is a weakness for this formation because he will be isolated and become the weakest part of the formation.
4-1-3-2 Wide
This formation can be considered a well-balanced one. You get good passing options and the distance between most of the players is very adequate.
The gap between the CM and the 2 ST’s is the weakness of this formation. You have to select CM and CDM wisely to avoid them from being exposed. Wide areas would be weak if you don’t distribute the work rate evenly.
4-1-2-1-2 Wide
A well-balanced formation that is used a lot. There are little to no gaps between players which avoids exposure. You also get great passing options with this formation.
The backbone of your team is so strong that the RM and LM are mostly bypassed. So, choose an all-rounder for these positions e.g. Bale.
4-1-2-1-2 Narrow
The same pros as the 4-1-2-1-2 above, well balanced, not popular at first but got famous later on. Great passing options and little gaps that translate to little exposure.
A lack of width due to that tight midfield quadrant. The 4-4-2 or the 4-2-3-1 can cause trouble against this formation easily. Keep your full-backs as strong as possible to make this formation work.
3-5-2
Overlooked in FIFA 18 but made a comeback on FIFA 19 and became popular. It is a pretty solid formation because of its strong defense and its ability to keep possession of the ball.
The areas between the players is wide. The RM and LM get redundant and they don’t contribute to attack because of not being high enough.
The opposing wingers can easily exploit them from behind. In case the 2CDM’s sit deep while the CAM pushes to attack, 20 to 30 yards of space would be left in the center of every pitch which can be used to hurt you.
3-5-1-1
This is a new and powerful and defensive formation. It is very hard to penetrate, and you get great passing options in the center along with a good counter attack ability.
ST becomes isolated, you need to have a strong physical player who can hold the play until the rest of the players come forward. You need to have power and pace for the players in the weak areas.
3-4-3 Flat
The same pros as the 3-4-2-1, wide areas are different though giving you the ability to double attack the opposition and the LW/RW help the ST out a lot.
The cons are also similar to the 3-4-2-1 which means that a quick counter-attack team such as Real Madrid can give you trouble. You also need defenders that have good speed and acceleration so that your striker doesn’t get lonely out there.
3-4-3 Diamond
A healthy spine with good attacking potential. This is a formation for desperate times. You get the options through the midfield along with 2x wide players but only when the attack is joined by the midfielders.
The most exposed formation there is in the game. You can get caught on in the more extensive areas even if the wide players push on and along with that if the CB’s is out of position, you’ll be done, especially if the opponent is well versed in crossing.
3-1-4-2
Similar to the former formation but with a greater focus on wide play. Get two high work rate midfielders to improve this formation that can overlap past LF & RF.
If you use it to attack it can be unbalanced because the players get pushed forward. If you play with this formation, then it would work best if you play with enough width and cross a lot. Then get a powerful striker to make use of those crosses.
You are prone to counter attacks if you chose wingers that have high attack work rates. But if you get wingers with low attacking and high defensive work rates, it gets you a bit more protection.
Get 3 fast CB’s the same as 3-4-1-2 so that you can deal crosses easily without being exposed. In summary keep your playstyle quick, short, sharp passing.
4-2-4
The same pros as the former formation 3-1-4-2.
4-3-1-2
If you like possession play this is the formation for you. You can make short and effective passes by using the 3 CMs along the CF.
A deep-lying CF can also act playmaker for the team as he gets the most time and space on the ball. Use him to get the ball to the ST.
Your CMs work rates should be kept in check. You would get caught short or become outnumbered if all 3 like to push. The back area is also a big weakness. There are no LM/RM’s to get you extra cover so you can often get caught 2 on 1.
4-3-2-1
This formation is very versatile for attack and great for possession play the same as 4-3-1-2. You get good control of the center with those 3 CMs especially against a 4-4-2 or a FIFA Formations 4-1-2-1-2 which you can outnumber easily.
The three front men can work together closely. A high attacking LF/RF can cause problems to the opposition’s defense.
Similarly to 4-3-1-2, you will get caught short in the midfield if you have CMs with high attacking work rates which is very crucial. If you get one CM with high defensive work rate, then it would work better for you.
These are all the formations we know of. If you want anything else let us know. Have fun playing and beat the rest cause of your superior knowledge now.
