FORMATION · 4 AT THE BACK
The 4-2-3-1 formation
A back four, two holding midfielders, a band of three behind a lone striker.
Also called double pivot
The shape
1
GK
2
RB
3
CB
4
CB
5
LB
6
CDM
7
CDM
8
CAM
9
CAM
10
CAM
11
ST
Formation 4-2-3-1
What it gives you
The double pivot screens the defence while three attackers still start high.
What it costs you
The striker can be isolated, and the whole thing stalls if the number ten is marked out.
Positions
GKRBCBCBLBCDMCDMCAMCAMCAMST
Who plays it
The 4-2-3-1 is the most-used shape in our data right now: 2936 of the 7,434 lineups we hold from the leagues we cover this season, 39% of them.
- Flamengo100% of lineups43 of 43
- Cruzeiro97% of lineups38 of 39
- Fluminense96% of lineups43 of 45
- Vancouver Whitecaps97% of lineups31 of 32
- Vélez Sarsfield97% of lineups29 of 30
- Norwich100% of lineups17 of 17
- Birmingham100% of lineups15 of 15
- Aston Villa100% of lineups15 of 15
- Fulham100% of lineups14 of 14
- Portsmouth100% of lineups13 of 13
- Club Queretaro100% of lineups13 of 13
- Manchester United100% of lineups13 of 13