Formational Info

A brief deleetcodeion on different formations, pointing out the strengths and weakness of each, and information on which tactical play style to use alongside them

5-4-1
This is a very defencive formation, but can also be very effective. The formation needs a good attacker up front to score the goals for you.
Your defence don't need to be the best since you have 5 defenders in the back line.
Playstyle: Continental should be the best one. Mixed can work, but not recommended. Longball is just plain stupidity.
Recommended use: Against teams with better average quality, where a draw would almost be the same as a victory for your team. Specially strong against formations with low amount of midfielders.

5-3-2
Concentrates a bit more on scoring goals, but is still a defensive formation. Watch out for teams with good midfield.
You might lose because you aint getting your midfielders into the game.
Playstyle: Mixed should work best for this formation, continental comes in second and longball works a bit better in this formation then in the 5-4-1.
Recommended use: Away matches where your opponent is about the same average Quality as you or at home against better teams then you.

4-5-1
Again a defensive formation.Compared to the 5-4-1 formation
This is more vulnerable to opponents playing longball or mixed because they play over your midfield so you will lose lots of defensive power.
Your defence needs to be stronger and your attacker still needs to be good.
Playstyle: Continental should be the best option. Mixed is not recommended as there is too many midfielders. Longball is not a option.
Recommended use: Against other managers playing continental with low amount of midfielders. Make sure that their attackers are not too good.

4-4-2
Most common formation used in the real life world today. It has good amounts of defenders, midfielders and attackers, making for a more balanced team.
Playstyle: All three playstyles work, but i would recommend mixed or continental a bit more then longball. Longball will just make your midfield weaker.
Recommended use: When you cant find any other formation that works well this is the one to use in most occasions. More rcommended against defensive formations (above formations) then attacking formations. Also good against teams with better overall quality than yours.

4-3-3
An attacking formation that concentrates on your play in front of the opponents. Vulnerable against teams with many midfielders.
Playstyle: Mixed and longball should be about the same. Continental is not recommended.
Recommended use: Can be used against any formation, but your decision of playstyle can be the reason why you either win or lose.
If you have low amount of good mifielders and many good attackers this could be the formation for you.

4-2-4
An all out attack formation that relies on getting more goals then your opponent. Very vulnerable against teams playing mixed or continental.
Playstyle: Longball is almost the only formation to recommend as the formation only contains 2 midfielders.
Mixed could also work but not recommended while continental should not be considered.
Recommended use: A large amount of good attackers is important for this formation. Also your defence and goalie needs to be excellent to win you matches.

3-6-1
This a an odd formation in my opinion, when thinking about real life. How would it actually be to play in a midfield as crowded as this one? Luckily this aint real life. Normally i would say a formation with only 3 defenders is an attacking formation, but this only contains 1 attacker so it can't be that attacking.
Playstyle: I can't see any other formation than continental working for this one.
Maybe mixed can work a little bit, but what is a lonely striker going to do with a longball?
Recommended use: Well, although not all formations with only 3 defenders are attacking
i would still recommend training up the offside-trap before using the formation. Never the less, it can still be used against teams playing mixed with a low rate of midifelders.

3-5-2
Yet again an attacking formation that needs excellent defenders to not let in too many goals.
Vulnerable against teams playing longball with many attackers. For instance 4-3-3.
Playstyle: I would prefer mixed in this formation. Continental is of course good as well because the amount of midfielders,
but since there's only 3 defenders they might get pushed by the attackers a bit much if playing continental
so a couple of longballs every now and then won't hurt.
Recommended use: It's a good idea to train your offside stat in the team training section,
playing the offside trap can help you a great deal with this formation.

3-4-3
This is a deadly attacking formation, when it works that is. The bad part is that your opponent can easily find ways to beat it.
I have yet to produce a win with this formation. On the other hand i produce a smile every time i see that my opponent either change to this formation with an event or use it from the start.
Playstyle: As i have no good experiences of my own with this formation i'm not to sure about the playstyle.
But from my knowledge about formations and tactics i would say that any playstyle can work in this formation. Continental probably the worst choice.
Recommended use: Choose another formation is my recommendation, but of course if it works good for you, why not keep at it.
Your defence need to be in very good shape compared to your opponent attackers. Also you goalie will probably get a lot to do.
Again, good offside stat in team training is your friend.

3-3-4
The last formation is again an all out attack formation, just like the 4-2-4 formation.
Remember that all these formation very vulnerable in defence so pick them with caution, not just pick to try. There are smarter offensive formations to choose.
Playstyle: Longball is the best playstyle again, while mixed should work a bit better with this formation.
Continental is again to dig yourself 7 feet under with this formation.
Recommended use: Against other all out attack formation and you got the best average quality this could be a choice.
In other situations than that i wouldn't recommend to use such a formation.