FIFA 20: What the Best Formation Is

Tom Hopkins

Published: Oct 2, 2019 12:51 pm

Whether you’re playing in Kick-Off or building your own squad in Ultimate Team, team set-up is vital. As usual, there are certain formations in FIFA 20 that are better than others. So that you’re not at a disadvantage in online matches, here’s everything you need to know about what the best formation is in FIFA 20.

What the Best Formation Is in FIFA 20

Below, we’ll run through the best formations in the game and why they’re better than others.

4-1-2-1-2 (2)

The go-to formation of FIFA 18 has made a come back for 20. With one-twos and through balls being the meta this year, having two strikers can be extremely useful.

Being able to pass the ball into one striker as the second makes a run in the channel between the full back and CB is great. You can also bounce the ball off the CAM, pressing L1/LB to get the strikers to make runs that are easy to pick out.

Just as with the other formations though, you need pace at ST. Not having wingers gives you fewer options, but you can always start in a wide formation and change once the game starts using Custom Tactics.

Also, while the wide version of the 4-1-2-1-2, with a LM and RM, is also quite good, the other benefit of the narrow variant is that you can control the game with more ease, giving you more options in the middle of the park.

4-2-2-2 – Best Formation in FIFA 20

The 4-2-2-2 is similar in many ways to the 4-1-2-1-2 (2), with it essentially moving one CM forward, and the other back to CDM.

The only issue that often arrives is how wide the two CAMs sit in this formation. They often play more like inside forwards than playmakers which, while great for attack, isn’t the best for when you want to control the game.

You can set the two CDMs to ‘Stay Back While Attacking’ to give your defence some protection, but that can leave some space in the midfield.

In terms of attacking potential, though, with loads of avenues for through balls and pace abuse, the 4-2-2-2 is a great option in FIFA 20.

4-2-3-1 (2)

Last year’s go-to formation, the 4-2-3-1 narrow is still strong. You do sacrifice a ST for another CAM, but if you use pace in the outside positions, and set them to ‘Stay Forward’ and/or ‘Get in Behind’ in Custom Tactics, they often act like wingers.

You can then use the central CAM and ST to thread through balls to the outside CAMs, or vice-versa. Having two CDMs also gives you more security at the back.

4-3-3 (4)

This one is my personal formation of choice in FIFA 20 so far. It does sacrifice having two strikers, but if you have the CAM pushed far enough forward, you’re essentially playing with four forwards (as if you’re using the 4-2-4 formation).

You can be left a little light in the middle, with you having CMs rather than CDMs, but it’s good if you’re an offensive player.

4-4-2 plays similarly and is also a good option, with the wingers pushing back a little and you using another ST. The LM and RM also play quite central a lot of the time, rather than sticking to the wide areas.

3-5-2 – Best Formation in FIFA 20

The final formation that some people have had success with is 3-5-2. Not having four at the back will be difficult for some players, especially when playing against people using formations with wingers or wide forwards, but it has lots of positives.

Having two strikers, a CAM, and wide players, there are loads of options in attack, while the CMs and CBs leave a good base for defending, at least narrowly.

You might be susceptible in the wide areas, as I mentioned, but having fast enough CBs might be enough to counter the treat of not having full backs.

That’s everything you need to know about what the best formation is in FIFA 20. For more tips and tricks on the game, check out our wiki guide. We have also listed some other guides on the game down below.

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