In FIFA 18, players have many different formations to choose from. We present you the best lineups used most often by professionals.
Three at the back? Five defenders? Or the classic four-man defense? When choosing a formation in FIFA 18 Ultimate Team, players have many options. Six months after the release of FIFA 18, the best lineups have emerged.
A large number of FIFA professionals and “Top 100” players in the Weekend League use one of these formations. According to a statistic compiled by reddit user “donhuan09”, by early March 76% of the “Top 50” PlayStation players were using these formations.
The best formations still have the four-man defense
Of course, there is not “the best lineup” for every player. No one plays the game exactly the same, some have more possession, others counter more often. It may well be that a formation that doesn’t suit most feels great for someone else.
In general, however, there are a few factors that hold true for formations regardless of playing style:
- The three-man defense is extremely weak at the back. Whenever the opponent comes down the wing, a center-back moves out, leaving the middle and/or the other wing open.
- The five-man defense is somewhat playable. However, you need right and left backs who are strong going back and forth and can run long distances. Especially for beginners, a formation with five defenders can be rather difficult to play.
- Compactness is key: In FIFA 18, it is more important than ever to be tight in midfield. Extremely wide formations, such as the various 4-3-3 formations, don’t work as well as in previous FIFA editions. To still play the Dutch system effectively, strong possession football is advantageous.
4-1-2-1-2 (2) – The close diamond is strong like in FIFA 17
This formation is likely familiar to many from FIFA 17. It was very popular back then. In FIFA 18, it is probably the most used formation. Also, 30% of the top 50 players play the Weekend League with the close diamond, according to the analysis.
Strengths:
- Fast short passing game: The compact midfield usually makes it possible to quickly bridge the middle with many short passes.
- One-twos in attack: Simple, but effective – the pass from one striker to another. You do this until one of your attackers runs into the open space and the deadly pass can be played.
- Strong pressing: Four central midfielders mean very little space for your opponent in midfield. You force them to switch to the wing and dominate the middle.
Weaknesses:
- The wings: Of course, without a single winger, the flanks are extremely open and the full-backs have a lot to do. Therefore, it is essential to give the full-backs the instruction to “stay back while attacking”.
- The luck factor: Matches against another team with the close diamond often end in chaos. The midfield is too densely packed, and the play goes back and forth quickly. A formation change to the “4-2-3-1” formation might help!
4-2-3-1 – Three attacking midfielders against the close diamond
This formation only became really popular this season. Four at the back, two defensive midfielders, three attacking midfielders, and one striker – sounds defensive, and it is. Especially when you have problems at the back, this formation is a good way to regain stability. Also very popular among professionals: 26% of the top 50 players use the close 4-2-3-1 formation.
Strengths:
- Defensive stability: Two defensive midfielders are extremely helpful for defensive stability. One can pressure the opponent, while the other covers passing lanes. Therefore, two holding midfielders can also counter the close diamond – the one-twos between the strikers can be easier to prevent.
- All options in attack: Possession or wing play, with the two outside CAMs acting as half wingers, you are extremely versatile. You can also effectively use the striker as a target man and send the supporting attacking midfielders into open space.
Weaknesses:
- Attacking against strong opponents: Once a player defends well and stands defensively or even very defensively, it becomes difficult up front. To create chances, formations with two strikers are better suited.
- Defensive midfielders need stamina: Due to the lack of support from a central midfielder, the holding midfielders must run a lot and engage in duels. This takes a toll on stamina and can cause one or two holding midfielders to tire out early.
4-4-2 – The classic makes a comeback
While the classic 4-4-2 with two central midfielders was rarely used at the beginning of FIFA 18, professionals used it especially often in FIFA tournaments. After all, one in five of the top 50 players opts out of the popular close formations and plays 4-4-2.
Strengths:
- Strong attack: Two wingers and two strikers supported by two central midfielders – this formation offers almost everything you desire offensively and is extremely versatile. It combines the flexibility of 4-2-3-1 with the double strike of the close diamond.
- Countering against close formations: By doubling up on the wings, you easily create overload situations there. Once you have outplayed the opponent’s full-back, the cross or pass to one of the two strikers often succeeds.
Weaknesses:
- Weak defense: Especially if the wingers do not work back much, you often find yourself in a poor defensive situation. Without a real holding midfielder, it requires a lot of skill to stand stable against strong opponents.
- Centrals must be all-rounders: No holding midfielder and no attacking midfielder – this means that the two central midfielders have to run a lot and must be capable of everything. Classic “box to box” players like Vidal, Nainggolan, or Paul Pogba are recommended here.
Other formations played
According to the top players, these are the best lineups for FIFA 18 Ultimate Team – followed by other close formations like 4-2-2-2 and 4-3-2-1. Only two of 50 top players played with a real Dutch system, the 4-3-3 (4).
Philipp says:
For me, the 4-2-3-1 is now the perfect choice. I like to play with 4 attacking and 2 defensive players – the 4-4-2 is too open at the back for me, and the 4-1-2-1-2 is too inflexible going forward. Moreover, a true “10” who makes the run into open space is extremely important to me.
However, I can recommend the close diamond to beginners in the Weekend League. Once you have mastered the short and one-two passing game, you should be able to easily defeat weaker FUT Champions opponents.
David Meyler achieved 40-0 in the Weekend League with the close diamond in March. The special part? He is a professional footballer for Hull City!
