Read this before asking for help with formations and keep in mind that sometimes no one can help you when the game engine decides not to favour you.
Remember:
1. There does not exist a formation that always wins.
2. It is not just a matter of formation, but a matter of many other factors, like player's form/morale, engine randomness, win bonuses, motivation, orders, arrows etc.
Examples (IMO):
A. A 3* in-form player may perform much better than a 5* with bad form.
B. A player with low morale is possible not to play at his best as if he had it superb.
C. Engine seems to be a little bit random. So random and strange things are possible to happen.
D. A win bonus may help your players to perform better. Or your opponent's ones if he offers it.
E. If your players are much better than your opponent's, some may be unmotivated facing their opponents and perform below their standards.
I.e. Messi will be highly motivated against R. Madrid, but he may feel bored to face R. Santander.
F. Orders can make a formation good or bad. And you don't know the orders used by your opponent. You have to find it out during the match.
G. Arrows can help players cover more positions, help the team in attack or defense. But they also tire players more and they may ruin sometimes a game. Plus, you can't see any arrows set by your opponent.
This post was from El Nano from the old forum, So I thought I bring it over.