Best Formations and When to Use Them in FC 25

The top EA FC 25 formations can greatly influence a match, and possessing skilled players in your squad is crucial, which you can achieve through the game's virtual currency. However, if your coin supply is limited, you can utilise third-party platforms like LootBar to replenish your fifa coins.

Nonetheless, choosing the best formation became more intricate this year due to the addition of Player Roles and the increased sophistication of tactics, as managers now even provide pre-set tactics. Therefore, in addition to choosing the right players and employing effective tactics, selecting the optimal formation is crucial for success in EA Sports FC 25. Players now have more options than ever for organizing their team, yet the fundamental formations have remained consistent throughout the series for years.

This year, you can choose from plenty of formations, each of which can be adjusted in various ways, so it's crucial to select the most suitable ones. Your chosen formation will reflect your strategic thinking based on the playing style you wish to pursue. Certain formations are inherently more offensive, while others are designed for a more Approaching Defence. In this guide, we will list out some of the best and most effective formations in EA FC 25 and when to use them.

4-2-3-1 (2)

The 4-2-3-1 (2) formation in EA FC 25 is for a balanced mainstream formation. A flat-back four is screened by two holding midfielders, providing stability in the defensive third. However, an attacking midfielder and two wide players provide offensive mobility.

Preset: Custom
Approaching Defence: High
Style of build up: Short passing
Goalkeeper: Defend
Left-back: Fullback, Balanced
Right-back: Falseback, Defend
Centre-backs: Defender, Defend
Attacking midfielder: Playmaker (Balanced)
Defensive midfielders: Holding, Defend
Striker (ST): advanced Forward
Wide midfielders: Inside Forward, Balanced

FC 25 4-2-3-1 (2) Formation

5-2-1-2

The 5-2-1-2 is the most effective formation in FC 25. With this formation, you can rapidly switch to attack with adequate players to overwhelm your opponent while defending with five players.

Preset: Custom
Formation type: 5-2-1-2
Approaching Defence: Balanced
Style of build up: Counter
Left and Right Back: Attacking Wingback, Balanced
Goalkeeper: Defend
Centre Backs: Ball-Playing Defender, Defenders and Defend, and Defend
Central Midfielder: Playmaker, Attack
Centre Midfielder: Holding, Defend
Striker (ST): advanced Forward
Striker: Poacher, Attack
Center Attacking Midfielder: Shadow Striker

4-3-3 (4)

This one is also the most popular formation in EA FC 25. You can be reckless if there aren’t any midfielders defending. While the fullbacks can cut in or may stay wide and offer backup in the centre, the central midfielders sit back and let the midfielder do his thing.

Style of build up: Balanced
Goalkeeper: Defending, Keeper
Approaching defence: High
Centre-backs: Defender, Defend
Left back: Full back, Balanced
Right back: Full back, Balanced
Midfielder (Right central): Box to box
Midfielder (Attacking): Playmaker
Left central midfielder: Holding, Defend
Striker (ST): advanced Forward
Left winger: Winger, Balanced
Right winger: Winger, Balanced

Keep In mind that you can always rely on formations for effective gameplay but in order for these formations to be successful, you need to have better players on your team as well. Try to incorporate good players with the help of FC 25 Coins as they help you get exclusive player cards in the game.

FC 25 4-3-3 (4) Formation

4-3-2-1

This 4-3-2-1 formation is ideal for FC 25 Ultimate Team players looking to apply consistent pressure on the field and launch quick attacks. The reason for its popularity lies in how you place the players expected to be in front and consistently apply pressure.

Preset: Custom
Goalkeeper: Balanced, Sweeper Keeper
Style of build up: Counter
Approaching Defence: High
Left Back: Fullback, Defend
Defender: Defend
Right Back: Wingback
Central Midfielder (centre): Holding (defend)
Central Midfielder (left): Playmaker, Attack
Central Midfielder (right): Box to Box, Balanced
Midfielder (left): Inside Forward
Striker (ST): advanced Forward
Midfielder (Right): Inside Forward, Balanced

5-4-1

This is the most defensively robust formation and strategy you can currently employ in EA FC 25. Utilising five defenders will clearly make it quite challenging for your opponents to find the net.

Preset: Custom
Approaching Defence: Balanced
Style of build up: Balanced
Goalkeeper: Defend
Left Back: Attacking Wingback, Balanced
Center Back (all): Defender
Right Back: Attacking Wingback, Balanced
Central Midfielder: Defend, Holding
Central Midfielder: Playmaker, Roaming
Midfielder (Right): Inside Forward, Attack
Striker: Balanced Forward, Complete
Midfielder (Left): Inside Forward (Attack)

FC 25 5-4-1 Formation

3-4-2-1

The essential aspect of this formation is to possess versatile athletes who are robust and energetic, ensuring you’re effective during counterattacks. This one is more secure defensively, providing minimal space in the back if you’re countered while also presenting numerous attacking choices when you regain the ball.

Preset: Custom
Formation type: 3-4-2-1
Style of Build up: Counter
Goalkeeper: Defend
Center Attacking Midfielder: Playmaker (Balanced)
Defenders: Stopper, Balanced
Defenders: Defender (defend)
Midfielder (left)/Midfielder (Right): Wide midfielders (defend)
Center Attacking Midfielder: Shadow Striker, Attack
Central Midfielders: Box to box, Balanced
Striker: Poacher, Attack
Approaching Defence: Defend

Conclusion

In EA FC 25, the formation you select can shape your style of play and your ability to adjust to various in-game scenarios. The key element is flexibility, regardless of your strategy—control possession with a 4-3-3, gain a win with a 5-4-1, or put pressure on the opposition's defence with a 5-2-1-2. Always consider the strategic needs of your game as well as the strengths of your squad. Knowing when to change your formation, whether for offence or defence, can provide you with an advantage in close games and aid you in maintaining control during the season.