EA Sports FC 25 takes real strides to evolve the franchise but it can still feel like an arcade game around the edges. This year’s improvements include a more tactical game engine and more control through Player Roles.
YouTuber Team Gullit has put together five squads with optimal performance in Ultimate Team at price points from 100K to 2.5 million coins. Each lineup is built with chemistry, balance and playstyle in mind.
1. 4-2-3-1
The right formation can make the difference between a dominant win and a frustrating loss in FIFA/EA FC 25 Ultimate Team. Choosing the correct setup will give you more flexibility in attack, allowing you to exploit gaps and create goal-scoring opportunities. But knowing which formations are best for your playstyle isn’t always easy, especially with a lot of options and new features like FC IQ making things even more complicated. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll go through the best budget formation for Ultimate Team, giving you a clear idea of how to set up your squad for success.
With four defenders and two defensive midfielders, the 4-2-3-1 is one of the most stable and balanced defensive formations available in EA FC 25. The system provides solid backline support while also letting you move forward in numbers and take advantage of open spaces with the CAMs, wingers, and striker.
As an attacking formation, the 4-2-3-1 is also powerful in EA FC 25 Ultimate Team. With a CAM positioned centrally to exploit gaps and two wide players offering pace and creativity, the system can dismantle defenses before they can even react. Depending on the CAM’s Player Role and your attack style, you can encourage them to make forward runs and deliver pinpoint crosses or to stay deep and support the striker.
To unlock the full potential of this budget formation, pair it with the Short Passing Build-Up Style. This will ensure your CAMs and wingers can cut through the opposition’s defenses before they can react, and will let you quickly move the ball into the two lingering strikers.
With a few simple tweaks, this budget formation for Ultimate Team is sure to help you dominate in every game. Whether you’re playing with a modest 100K or splurging on a 2.5 million coin squad, the tips in this guide will put you well on your way to victory. Remember to keep checking back for more guides, tips and tricks, and news to give yourself the best chance of winning in EA FC 26 Ultimate Team.
2. 4-5-1
Using a flat 4-4-2 formation in Ultimate Team can be a solid option early on for those who are just getting to grips with the game. A four-player defense is bolstered by two holding midfielders, which helps to quell opposition attacks, while a pair of wide players and a central attacking midfielder provides plenty of options in attack. The key to this squad is a good balance between pace and skill, which you can achieve by giving Inaki Williams’Inside Forward’ player role, while taking advantage of the high speed of Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, Takefusa Kubo, and Sergi Darder.
For those with a slightly larger budget, YouTuber Team Gullit offers up a more comprehensive squad for 2.5 million coins. A 4-5-1 formation is used again here, and it is boosted by an elite player who elevates this squad to the next level. Timber and Kounde provide solid defenders while Reijnders and Frankie De Jong add a degree of balance and control in midfield, and Kvaratskhelia brings a great deal of technical ability to the left-wing position. The upgraded icon card of Kylian Mbappe is a true game-changer at this price point, and he elevates this squad to another level.
3. 4-3-3
The 4-3-3 is one of the most popular formations in modern football, and it’s also a top choice for players who want to dominate possession and build up play in FIFA Ultimate Team. This formation pairs two defensive midfielders with a forward CAM and stay-forward striker to create a balanced setup that’s great for nailing down set-piece situations like free kicks. With two defensive midfielders, you can clog up the middle and make it difficult for opponents to get into attacking positions. Plus, with the wingers making runs from deep and creating chances for themselves, this can be a good setup for counter-attacking.
The wingers in this formation need to have high Pace and Dribbling so they can attack quickly in tight spaces. To help them create chances they can either go for direct lofted passes (L1+R1+Triangle or LB+RB+Y) or they can make runs from deep and support the lone striker with crosses. The CAM can be the maestro of the attack, so they should have excellent Passing and Dribbling. Finally, the striker should be able to run into space and finish well, so they need to have good Shooting and Finishing stats.
Choosing the right formation and setting up the best tactics is essential for playing FIFA Ultimate Team. Experimenting with different formations and tactics will help you find the perfect combo that suits your play style. So try out these setups and see which ones give you the best balance of chance creation, central control, and attacking threat.
Remember, in EA FC 25 your formations and tactics determine how you will play the game. So choose wisely and be ready to switch it up when necessary. The right formations and tactics can make the difference between dominating possession and chasing shadows. So give these four meta formations a try and see which one is the best for your gameplay. And if you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask them in the comments below!
4. 5-2-3
Using the best formations and tactics in FIFA/EA FC 25 Ultimate Team is key to maximizing your in-game performance. The right combination of player skills, position compatibility and chemistry will lead to better in-game results and help you beat opponents without breaking the bank.
This 5-2-3 formation is the perfect example of how to build a strong, low-budget squad that stays competitive with high-end players. Pellegrini controls the tempo with superb short-pass accuracy and defensive reliability, while Bennacer provides box-to-box versatility. Zaccagni and Diaby can both play on the left wing, adding tactical flexibility, while Kolo Muani provides physical presence and scoring power to the frontline. This is a great team to use in a variety of attacking strategies.
