4-5-1V might fail if the player going 4-4-2 is playing that tact properly and not many do.

i usually go 4-1-4-1 against 4-4-2....with red on wingers and dmc....def/counter/mixed pass/over flanks......so in attacking it will act similar as 4-5-1V.....but in other hand it will play well against properly played 4-4-2 when in defense.