Use L1+x a lot. I usually play with 2 AMF and 2 CF and just pass the ball between them using L1+x. This way you have players running foward and almost always someone is free. The only thing getting on my nerves is sometimes crappy team give me more problems than good ones.
I don't think regular is harder. Maybe the computer is a bit more on the attacking side but scoring is much easier than on higher levels