FC 25 best formations & custom tactics explained

Although the tactics are more complicated than ever, it's now straightforward to use another persons system by just entering their tactics code for whatever system they've built. It couldn't be easier.

Read on, or check out the video above, to learn about the best FC 25 tactics and formations!

Best formations and tactics to win in FC 25

The best formations and tactics will vary depending on how you wish to play in the game, but we'd recommend the 4-1-2-1-2 Narrow, the 3-4-2-1 or the 4-2-3-1 Wide.

Some players will prefer to sit a bit deeper, soak up pressure and hit teams on the break. Others will prefer to control the ball, dominate the game, and be on the front foot; regardless of how you wish to play, the biggest goal is to win, and the tactics below will help you achieve your goal.

4-1-2-1-2 Narrow

This formation has been one of the most popular in recent years, but with the new Player Roles in FC 25, this shape has even more options.

It’s nice and narrow, offering plenty of control and passing options while also providing some width if you have the right central midfielders. It also allows players to use two strikers, so multiple options operate in the box.

• Tactical Preset: Custom
• Code: L&j@lPnSv#7
• Formation: 4-1-2-1-2 Narrow
• Build-up Style: Short passes
• Defensive Approach: Balanced
• Goalkeeper: Defending, Keeper
• Left and Right Back: Fullback, Balanced
• Centre Backs: Defender and Defend
• Central Defensive Midfielder: Holding, Roaming
• Central Midfielders: Box-to-box, Balanced
• Center Attacking Midfielder: Winger, Balanced
• Striker: False 9, Build Up
• Striker: Advanced Forward, Attack

Something to keep in mind this year is that some players perform better with specific instructions, so when recruiting, you check whether or not they fit the roles.

Alternatively, you can invert the fullbacks to flood the midfield, offering more passing options if that’s what you prefer.

4-2-1-3

This formation defends in a 4213, but when attacking, switches to a 3331 with one of the midfielders dropping into defence and the full backs coming into midfield.

Width comes from the wingers, and the constant rotation of players causes all sorts of chaos. To pull off this formation, it's crucial to have wingers who can go both ways and fullbacks with very good passing so that you can dominate all over the pitch.

• Tactical Preset: Custom
• Code: p#D#E?5&zqJ
• Formation: 4-2-1-3
• Build-up Style: Counter
• Defensive Approach: Balanced
• Goalkeeper: Defending, Keeper
• Right back: Falseback, Balanced
• Left back: Falseback, Balanced
• Defensive midfielder: Holding, Defend
• Defensive midfielder: Centre Half, Defend
• Central Attacking Midfield: Playmaker, Balanced
• Right Winger: Inside Forward, Balanced
• Left Winger: Inside Forward, Balanced
• Striker: Advanced Forward, Attack

3-4-2-1

This formation is more defensively sound, offering little room at the back if you’re countered but also leaving plenty of options in attack for when you get the ball.

The key is to have all-rounders, athletic and strong players so you’re potent on the counter-attack. You will be playing a bit deeper, though, and likely to concede the majority of possession.

• Tactical Preset: Custom
• Code: DZcldmu%NBf
• Formation: 3-4-2-1
• Build-up Style: Counter
• Defensive Approach: Defend
• Goalkeeper: Defend
• Defenders: Defender, Defend
• Defenders: Stopper, Balanced
• Right Midfielder/ Left Midfielder: Wide midfielders, defend
• Central Midfielders: Box-to-box, Balanced / Deep Lying Playmaker, Defend
• Center Attacking Midfielder: Shadow Striker, Attack
• Center Attacking Midfielder: Playmaker, Balanced
• Striker: Poacher, Attack

4-2-3-1 Wide

Right now, this is the most balanced formation around, offering just as much going forward as defending, with plenty of options for a pass and proving hard to break down.

The defenders can come inside to provide more in the middle, too, but it will rely on them having a good engine for all the extra running they’re going to do, so stamina is the key.

• Tactical Preset: Custom
• Code: xHJFfLF47x$
• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Build-up Style: Short Passes
• Defensive Approach: High
• Goalkeeper: Defending, Keeper
• Left back: Fullback, Balanced
• Right back: Falseback, Defend
• Centre Backs: Defender, Defend
• Central Defensive Midfielder: Holding, Defending
• Central Defensive Midfielder: Holding, Defending
• Center Attacking Midfielder: Playmaker, Balanced
• Right Midfielder / Left Midfielder: Inside Forward, Balanced
• Striker: Advanced Forward, Attack

Best manager tactics in FC 25 Ultimate Team

Managers in the game have built-in tactics, so if you want to equip one of them and plug and play, as it were, these are some of the best options currently in the game that fit the meta.

• Mikel Arteta
• Antonio Conte
• Thiago Motta
• Hansi Flick
• Roberto De Zerbi
• Enzo Maresca
• Unai Emery
• Xabi Alonso
• Carlo Ancelotti
• Ruben Amorim

Hundreds of managers are in the game, so it is well worth looking at which ones you get in packs to see if any of them fit the particular way you want to play in Ultimate Team.

Read more on FC 25:

• FC 25 review: Our final verdict
• FC 25 ratings: The very best players
• FC 25 soundtrack: Full list of songs
• FC 25 wonderkids: Best young players
• FC 25 strikers: Best forwards to use
• FC 25 wingers: Best RW and LW
• FC 25 midfielders: Best CDM, CM and CAM
• FC 25 defenders: Best CB, RB and LB
• FC 25 goalkeepers: Best GK
• Best kits in FC 25: Our favourite shirts
• FC 25 evolutions: Who should you upgrade?
• FC 25 Squad Battle rewards
• FC 25 FUT Champs rewards
• FC 25 Division Rivals rewards

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