Where does 4-4-2 survive?
Share of line-ups still set out as 4-4-2 — a shape that has halved across the majors since 2016.
A-League (Australia) keeps the faith: 29.4% of its line-ups are still 4-4-2.
| League | 4-4-2 | Line-ups |
|---|---|---|
| 1. A-League Australia | 29.4% | 326 |
| 2. J1 League Japan | 28.3% | 760 |
| 3. La Liga Spain | 27.5% | 760 |
| 4. Copa del Rey Spain | 27.1% | 214 |
| 5. Premier Soccer League South Africa | 26.8% | 470 |
| 6. Liga Profesional Argentina Argentina | 25% | 952 |
| 7. Segunda División Spain | 24.6% | 936 |
| 8. 2. Liga Austria | 23.8% | 480 |
| 9. Allsvenskan Sweden | 22.7% | 484 |
| 10. Pro League United Arab Emirates | 20.6% | 340 |
| 11. CONMEBOL Sudamericana International | 20.2% | 312 |
| 12. Indian Super League India | 20% | 230 |
| 13. 1. Division Cyprus | 19.5% | 353 |
| 14. AFC Champions League Elite International | 18.9% | 280 |
| 15. Liga MX Mexico | 17.7% | 684 |
| 16. Super League China | 17.5% | 360 |
| 17. Ligue 1 France | 17.1% | 764 |
| 18. League Two England | 16.9% | 1,114 |
| 19. Superettan Sweden | 16.5% | 480 |
| 20. Super League Switzerland | 15% | 360 |
| 21. Segunda Liga Portugal | 14.4% | 570 |
| 22. Eerste Divisie Netherlands | 13.6% | 758 |
| 23. Premier League Belarus | 13.4% | 387 |
| 24. 2. Bundesliga Germany | 13% | 616 |
| 25. UEFA Champions League International | 12.4% | 435 |
| 26. Pro League Saudi Arabia | 12.3% | 470 |
| 27. Premier League Russia | 12.3% | 472 |
| 28. EFL Trophy England | 12.2% | 245 |
| 29. Jupiler Pro League Belgium | 12.1% | 651 |
| 30. Liga I Romania | 12.1% | 630 |
| 31. CONMEBOL Libertadores International | 12.1% | 307 |
| 32. Premier League England | 11.8% | 760 |
| 33. Liga Pro Ecuador | 11.4% | 315 |
| 34. UEFA Europa League International | 10.9% | 350 |
| 35. 3. Liga Germany | 10.8% | 706 |
| 36. Super Liga Slovakia | 10.6% | 368 |
| 37. Primeira Liga Portugal | 10.6% | 615 |
| 38. Ligue 2 France | 10.3% | 764 |
| 39. Primera División Peru | 10.3% | 466 |
| 40. Primera División Chile | 10% | 540 |
Showing every competition. Major competitions only
Exact formation as recorded. Variants such as 4-4-1-1 count separately.