Top Eleven Tactics for the 4-5-1 formation

Summary

The 4-5-1 formation is the possession magnet formation in Top Eleven. 

Supportive team mentality

Defensive, Hard Defending, Normal, Attacking

Unsupportive team mentality

Hard Attacking

Advantages of the 4-5-1 formation in Top Eleven 

• 4-5-1 formation is Jose Mourinho's favorite.
• This formation has high win percentage in low scoring games.
• If you adopt right strategy and your players have specific special abilities and extra roles, you can beat or make a draw against even 20% stronger opponents.
• If you want to draw 0:0 score against much stronger opponent, this formation is the best choice for you.
• You get maximum possession in the game with two wide midfielders (MR, ML) and three center midfielders (MC).
• There is no room for opponent's counterattacks and it is a huge advantage in Top Eleven.
• You play in the midfield most of the time, and get clean sheets more.
• Great for counterattacking against strong opponents.
• The passing style Short, works really very well.
• The Man-To-Man marking style and Zonal marking style both options are equally effective according to strategy.
• This is the one of few formations in the game that can be used for all available focus passing styles "Mixed, Down Both Flanks, Right Flank, Left Flank, and Through The Middle. You can change your tactics between the match without changing formation.
• This formation is capable of passing styles, Short and Mixed.

Disadvantages of the 4-5-1 formation in Top Eleven

• You have a lone striker (ST).
• When attacking, the lone striker (ST) playing against 3 or 4 defenders making it close to impossible for the forward to find space.
• Your striker (ST) have to be at least seven stars.
• 4-5-1 is a low scoring formation so it is difficult to compete in Top Scorer Challenge in the game.
• Your wide midfielders (MR, ML) tire out more, because they have to run a lot.
• Passing style Long doesn't work.

Recommended special abilities

• Your striker (ST) should have the special ability of One-on-one scorer. It can be very helpful to score during counterattacks.
• Your left or right midfielder (MR, ML) should have a special ability of Dribbler.
• Your left or right attacking-midfielder (MR, ML) should have a special ability of Shadow Striker.
• For more creativity in midfield, two of your central midfielders (MC) should have a special ability of Playmaker.
• Both of your center-backs should have the special abilities of Defensive Wall and Aerial Defender (DC).

Recommended extra roles

• Your all three center midfielder (MC) should have an extra role of defensive center midfielder (DMC).
• Your right and left wide midfielders (MR, ML) should have an extra role of attacking right and left midfielder (AMR, AML).

Attacking tactics for the 4-5-1 formation

Team mentality, Attacking, Focus passing, Mixed, Passing style, Mixed, Force counter-attacks, Off
Pressing style, High, Tackling style, Hard, Marking style, Man-To-Man, Play offside trap, Off

Normal tactics for the 4-5-1 formation

Team mentality, Normal, Focus passing, Mixed, Passing style, Short, Force counter-attacks, Off
Pressing style, Low, Tackling style, Hard, Marking style, Man-To-Man, Play offside trap, Off

Defensive and Hard Defending tactics for the 4-5-1 formation

Team mentality, Defensive or Hard Defending, Focus passing, Mixed, Passing style, Short, Force counter-attacks, On
Pressing style, Low, Tackling style, Hard, Marking style, Man-To-Man, Play offside trap, Off

Final note

Even if you follow all these instructions, I guarantee an 80% result. Your team's training bonuses, morale, health condition, injuries during the match, weather conditions, and referee's decisions may change the outcome of the match.