Where is 4-2-3-1 the default?
Share of line-ups set out as 4-2-3-1 — the most common shape in football, and in some leagues close to the only one.
Eredivisie (Netherlands) is the most uniform: 58.9% of its line-ups are 4-2-3-1.
| League | 4-2-3-1 | Line-ups |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Eredivisie Netherlands | 58.9% | 640 |
| 2. Championship England | 57.4% | 1,113 |
| 3. Premier Soccer League South Africa | 56.3% | 430 |
| 4. Eerste Divisie Netherlands | 55.5% | 760 |
| 5. HNL Croatia | 55.1% | 354 |
| 6. Premier League England | 53.6% | 760 |
| 7. Serie A Brazil | 53.2% | 746 |
| 8. NWSL Women United States | 50.3% | 374 |
| 9. Süper Lig Türkiye | 48.1% | 684 |
| 10. Stars League Qatar | 47.1% | 244 |
| 11. Premier Division Ireland | 46.6% | 354 |
| 12. Pro League Saudi Arabia | 46.5% | 608 |
| 13. Super League 1 Greece | 46.4% | 466 |
| 14. Indian Super League India | 44.5% | 326 |
| 15. Primera División Peru | 43.7% | 611 |
| 16. Super Liga Serbia | 43.7% | 586 |
| 17. FA WSL England | 41.9% | 222 |
| 18. Liga MX Mexico | 41.3% | 675 |
| 19. First League Bulgaria | 41% | 580 |
| 20. 1. Lig Türkiye | 41% | 758 |
| 21. Major League Soccer United States | 40.3% | 1,032 |
| 22. Primeira Liga Portugal | 40.1% | 616 |
| 23. CONMEBOL Libertadores International | 39.7% | 302 |
| 24. La Liga Spain | 39.5% | 760 |
| 25. UEFA Europa League International | 39.2% | 538 |
| 26. Botola Pro Morocco | 38.9% | 398 |
| 27. Challenger Pro League Belgium | 38.8% | 448 |
| 28. FA Cup England | 38.8% | 227 |
| 29. Primera A Colombia | 38.2% | 838 |
| 30. Liga Pro Ecuador | 38% | 481 |
| 31. Liga I Romania | 37.8% | 630 |
| 32. Super League Switzerland | 37.8% | 458 |
| 33. Segunda Liga Portugal | 37.8% | 596 |
| 34. Canadian Premier League Canada | 36.8% | 234 |
| 35. Jupiler Pro League Belgium | 36.5% | 630 |
| 36. 1. Division Cyprus | 35.4% | 474 |
| 37. UEFA Champions League International | 35.3% | 558 |
| 38. Liga Profesional Argentina Argentina | 35.1% | 756 |
| 39. Premier League Egypt | 34.8% | 442 |
| 40. AFC Champions League Elite International | 34.6% | 240 |
Showing every competition. Major competitions only
Exact formation as recorded.