FIFA Mobile 23: The complete H2H Mode Guide and Tips (2023)

FIFA Mobile, the flagship mobile gaming title of EA never fails to surprise and entertain its fan base with regular additions of some recurring and some innovative events with a few known and unknown tricks up its sleeve each time. However, one thing that hasn’t changed in the last three seasons in FIFA Mobile is H2H mode. This mode pits the ultimate dream teams of gamers against each other for a full-fledged 90 minutes action.

The Head to Head mode is largely skill based so naturally more than a few people struggle in H2H mode even with strong teams. That’s precisely why we’ve curated a very handy guide and a few tips to increase your mark on the field in this FIFA Mobile 23: The complete Head-to-Head (H2H) Guide.

Introducing the Basics of H2H mode

Head-to-Head or H2H is a multiplayer mode in FIFA Mobile, introduced first in FIFA Mobile 19, where players compete against each other in a 90-minute match (4-6 minutes of real-time) with their dream team and gain division ranks and rewards.

There’s everything at play here including Free Kicks, Corners, Penalties, and even Sending-offs and Substitutions. However, the only thing that isn’t present is Tie Breakers (Penalties or Extra time). Hence your score at the end of 90 mins, albeit a draw is final.

Building the Champion Team for FIFA Mobile 23 H2H mode

Head to Head mode is a very strategic and skill-oriented mode but sometimes performance depends on the situation and no matter how perfect one’s squad is, it will require on-the-spot thinking some experience, and smart play.

In this FIFA Mobile 23 Head-to-Head guide we’ll help you build the best team and some tips as well to help with the strategies however, some intuition will be required from your end to succeed as this is a strictly PvP mode.

Best Formations for H2H mode

In H2H formations play a great role almost controlling how much you’ll be effective on defending. Formations lay the groundwork of your player’s positioning as in behind runs and defensive structure entirely depend on formation therefore strategically choosing a formation best suited for you is of utmost importance. Below are some good H2H formations to consider.

• 4-3-3 Attack: This is one of the most popular formations and best suited for wing play and crossing.
• 4-3-3 Holding: Effective defensive formation and quick counter-attacking play.
• 4-3-2-1: A formation for the skillful, although a little tricky this formation can provide eye-pleasing depth in attacking with composed defending.
• 4-5-1: A counterattacker’s paradise, with a strong set of midfielders and a quick striker this one is perfect for counterattackers.
• 4-4-2 Holding: If you have a little doubt about your defending skills then this formation is better for you with two CDMs this one for slow build-ups and depth play against a 4-back formation.
• 4-2-3-1 Narrow: This one is a silent killer as a very little number of players use it however, it is easily one of the most effective formations against a strong defense or attack. Two CAMs work as wings while the striker and full-backs provide dummy runs as the third CAM pulls defenders and demands a pass, all the while CDMs and CBs keep the defensive structure compact. This an easy recommendation for anyone who knows how to dribble and doesn’t rely on crosses only.

Best Goalkeepers for H2H

Simply put there are only a handful that work as well as a GK in Head-to-Head mode as mostly when you’ll be an attacker your GK will either face an unstoppable header from close range or a 1V1 situation.

However, there are some keepers who might save the day as Emiliano Martinez in World Cup 2022 final if you know how it went. There isn’t any particular stat that determines how well a GK would perform as it mostly depends on the gameplay of the card so we’ll straight away list a few GKs that work wonders. Example:

• Petr Cech 107 (Event Icon)
• Emiliano Martinez 108 (TOTT)
• Van Der Sar 104 (Event Icon)
• Bounou 104 (TOTY 23)

We’ve only included the GKs that are reasonably priced and provide great value for how much they’re worth.

Best Defenders for H2H

Defenders, ie Center Backs are a little tricky to choose as again defenders perform on auto as you just press against the attackers and it’s semi-auto mostly. However, there are some stats to look for in a defender

• At least 8 bars of stamina
• Pace (Heavy emphasis on sprint speed rather than acceleration)
• Marking
• Standing tackle
• Slide tackle
• Heading and jumping
• Physical

For example defenders like Ruben Dias 104/107 (World Cup/ TOTY 23), Marquinhos 106 (TOTY 23), Carles Puyol 107 (Event Icon), Fernando Hierro 107 (Event Icon), can be very efficient for your squad for any formation. Additionally, Bastoni 100 (National Heroes) can prove to be a very affordable and useful pick.

Best FullBacks for H2H

There is a distinct difference in sets of stats required for a great fullback and a great CB. A Fullback, along with defending also needs to have great attacking skills to be more effective. The stats to look out for in a Full back are

• Pace (Heavy emphasis on Sprint speed rather than acceleration)
• Shooting
• Dribbling
• Agility
• 3* skills (4* skills are better obviously)
• Minimum 8 bars of stamina
• Passing
• Crossing

Some of the decent fullbacks in the game include but aren’t limited to Kyle Walker 102 (World Cup), Acuna 99 (World Cup), Acuna 102 (TOTY 23), Hakimi 105 (TOTY 23), Davies 105 (TOTY 23), Kounde 104 (World Cup).

Best Midfielders for H2H

Attacking and Balanced midfielders (CAM, LM, RM, CM)

Most of the attacking and balanced midfielders depend highly upon players’ skills as we’ve heard a thousand times from FIFA Mobile commentators “midfield is the key area”, this is where player skills can bring magic, and a good player with lower over can beat someone with way higher over.

However, some cards definitely handle better than others. Attack-oriented and balanced midfielders require mostly the same stats which are:

• Dribbling
• Passing
• Crossing
• Agility
• Shooting (Curve, Longshot)
• 4* skills
• Pace (Only for LM and RM)

Some good options to consider could include Pedri 104 (TOTY 23), Modric 108 (TOTT), Zidane 107 (Event Icon), Bellingham 106 (TOTY 23) Lionel Messi 106 (World Cup), Pelé 108 (Obrigado, Pelé Event).

Defensive midfielders (CDM)

There are a lot of things to be considered when selecting a CDM in CDM-oriented formations because they are the game changers. Defensive midfielders require a different set of stats to be effective than other midfielders which are:

• Marking
• Standing tackle
• Aggression
• Heading
• Height
• Physical
• Minimum 7 bars of stamina
• Positioning
• Reaction
• Awareness
• Strength
• Short passing

To secure your defense, players may consider a wide range of CDMs including Petit 105 (Event Icon), Amrabat 108 (TOTT), Xabi Alonso 107 (Event Icon), Casemiro 108 (TOTY 23), Essien 105 (Event Icon).

Best Wide Players for H2H

Wingers are arguably the most creative part of a team in H2H closely followed by Midfielders. Bringing the width, picking out defenders from the position, shooting absolute curveballs, or delivering crosses whichever your jam might be wingers are a very integral part of the attack.

• Pace
• At least 9 bars of stamina
• 4* skill moves
• Agility
• Dribbling
• Passing
• Balance
• Shooting (Long shot and Curve)
• Crossing
• High work rate
• Jumping
• Reactions

It’s a long list, but fortunately, there are many wingers on the market that are good for H2H. For wingers, Lionel Messi 108 (TOTT), Raphinha 102 (World Cup), Salah 108 (TOTY 23), Saka 103 (World Cup), and Jairzinho 107 (Event Icon) can enhance the attacking prowess of any team.

Best Forwards for H2H

The Striker is one of the most important players to many football teams. They are expected to finish chances efficiently whenever they are on the pitch and contribute to victory with their goals. There are a few stats that determine the best poacher for the team:

• Finishing
• Positioning
• Work rate
• Pace
• Heading and jumping
• Dribbling
• Ball control
• Agility
• Balance
• Awareness
• Reactions
• At least 9 bars of stamina
• Shooting

The list of Strikers is obviously the longest, with big names from around the world of football including Cantona 110 (Event Icon), Nunez 102 (TOTY 23), Mbappe 109 (TOTY 23), Lewandowski 106 (National Hero), Benzema, Pelé 108 (Obrigado, Pelé Event), Haaland 106 (National Hero), Ronaldo 107 (Event Icon), Cristiano Ronaldo 106 (National Heroes), Klose 109 (Event Icon), Flower 109 (Event Icon), Julian Alvarez 108 (TOTT), Puskas 107 (Event Icon) and Richarlison 108 (TOTT).

FIFA Mobile H2H Guide: Squad-Building Tips and Tricks

1. Don’t be one-dimensional and rely only on Crosses

Crosses and Heading more informally known as “cross spamming” has become a rather predictable way of playing games. Although good to have this should not be the only tactic in your repertoire. Experiment with different tactics such as cut back and curve or set piece earning or even long balls if you aren’t among very patient gamers.

2. Short passing and Picking out Defenders are the key

Short passing is a key element in FIFA Mobile 23 Head-to-Head games, patiently building up with short passes and even preplanning the short passes can really frustrate the opponent into doing something silly and opening a gap.

Pick out defenders just by moving around backward or sideward randomly, usually, players use auto pressing in defending so this tactic would automatically make defenders lose their compact structure and any poacher or any player with a high attacking work rate and sprint speed would automatically provide an in behind run for you to cash in.

3. Don’t do panic Touches

While this might sound very obvious tip, this is the reason most of the players bottle a winning match. When you make a mistake while defending sometimes another defender automatically tries to come in and save the ball.

However if you panic touch anywhere on the screen other than the press button, the defender will either give away the possession once again or just slide mindlessly as the opponent ST shoots you back to square one.

4. First-touch movements are essential high up the pitch

If you’re playing with a high cross or long pass tactic then the first touch of your poacher becomes very important. There’s a very simple way to avoid losing the ball just after receiving a through ball, follow the defender closest to you and read his movement.

And when the ball reaches the poacher just before touching the ball flick the movement key towards the defender as this will cancel out the standing tackle attempts from the defender and you’ll get an opening to turn and shoot.

5. Manual Defending be a relief in dire circumstances

When your opponent is through the wings and your fullback is left on the ground, the best way to try and prevent a sure-shot goal is to manually control the CB and infuse a sliding tackle right when the opponent decides to cross the ball this non-AI and unexpected behavior will mostly force a mistake by the opponent or the cross would be completely deflected by the slide tackle.

6. Utilize the Substitution feature effectively

Substitution bench can often change the course of a football match whether it’s FIFA Mobile or the real sport and clever substitution strategies are part of most comeback stories in football. Changing a stamina-depleted defender or winger is a great way to change the course of the match as little stat changes like agility along with a full stamina bar can lead to unexpected goals.

There’s one more use case of the substitution feature than just substitution, you can swap a player’s position with another such as bringing a defender to midfield if a winger plays too well in a match. Even changing a winger into a striker when the striker’s stamina is lower than the winger’s can also bring a fresh way of attacking your team.

Pick and choose your substitute bench wisely and always try to keep an ST with good heading or dribbling alternating with the concurrent ST, keep a few wingers and defenders, and definitely keep a GK as well as a CDM with good defending and stamina to make the substitution bench as compact Exactly as the main Ultimate dream team.

Reaching the H2H FIFA Champions in FIFA Mobile

Having a good team only won’t make a massive difference in H2H, it depends on how you control those cards in-game. This isn’t an easy game mode like VSA to understand, so users need the experience to learn and grow into seasoned H2H players. With time, one will naturally improve but we have collated some ideas and strategies which can provide an edge.

1. Figure out ways to Stop Cross spamming

Cross-spamming opponents can sometimes get on players’ nerves to say the least, and most people really find it difficult to deal with cross-spammers even with good defenders. To stop cross-spammers good technique is far more important than good defenders.

The moment you realize that you’re against someone who uses cross spamming, right away swap the corresponding wing midfielder with a defender to stop the attack before the winger even reaches your full back, and even if the defender fails to stop the winger you can use him again as a second defender to you fullback in order to stop the cross spamming course.

2. Spread out your Attack with quick Short passes

In the FIFA Champions race the more you reach higher along the division the more impatient your opponents will get, use this opportunity by slowing down the play with short passes and unnecessary movements and spread your player around the field in order to force a mistake from the opponent. The moment you earn a gap attack with depth in the field rather than width the CBs typically have less sprint speed than poachers or wingers.

3. Set pieces can be useful

If you’re unable to penetrate a defensive structure, then just dribble sideways outside the d-box with a lane change role or flick-up shot and if you’re at the right spot you might earn a very irritating free kick for your opponent. If you earn a Free Kick a little far from the d-box try to lob pass the ball and use it as a header, and believe it or not this one works better than crosses.

4. Utilsing the Flick up shot and Lane change role

These skills are essential in an H2H game as you may already know. While the lane change role is useful in almost every circumstance, however, the flick-up shot is a very powerful tool in a very specific but regular scenario.

When you’re running a winger through the corners of the pitch and you are facing a fullback that has great pace and just refuses to give up, just use this skill and your winger will leave the fullback in the dust looking completely foolish, and this way you also cut back towards the goal.

5. Patience and perseverance

This isn’t a particularly gaming tip as much as it is a way to prepare for the journey ahead. A winning streak is just as rewarding as a losing streak is annoying but if you’re chasing FIFA Champions you’ll face both. A winning streak can be followed by a losing streak as FIFA matches you against more skillful or even higher-ranked players when you get a winning streak.

However, after a losing streak, you’ll face much easier teams than you were facing before so just keep calm and try as you’ll gradually progress down the path even with losing streaks and winning streaks combined.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, climbing up the ranks in FIFA Mobile 23 Head-to-Head mode isn’t a very difficult task as much as it is a strategic task, you can win against even a greater team in H2H with an average team with skills and clever strategies.

However, this is a PvP mode after all so no strategy or tip can always make you win. Use the tips in this FIFA Mobile 23 Head-to-Head complete guide article and gain experience by playing the game and maximize your chances of reaching the Head-to-Head FIFA Champions in FIFA Mobile 23 H2H mode.

Did you find this guide on the FIFA Mobile 23 H2H Mode helpful? Do let us know in the comments.

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