The preseason buzz largely revolved around Manchester City’s attempt to defend their WSL crown and the prospects of a revamped London City squad. Meanwhile, Tottenham quietly continued to build on the platform laid by Martin Ho during the previous campaign. A key figure in that ongoing development is Danish forward Olivia Holdt. When she arrived at the club in January 2025 under the guidance of then‑manager Robert Vilahamn, he praised her as an "X‑factor" with the potential to become one of the league’s elite talents.
Those lofty compliments brought with them heightened expectations, and Holdt has already begun to justify them, even if she does not dominate the headlines on a daily basis. She opened the current season with a hat‑trick in a 7‑0 demolition of Crystal Palace – a performance she described as "special" – and Tottenham have yet to taste defeat in the WSL. The team currently sit in second place, three points adrift of Manchester City and a single point ahead of their upcoming opponents, the high‑profile London City.
"It’s still early, there are plenty of matches left and it will be a long campaign, but so far things are looking very positive," Holdt told Sky Sports ahead of the Sunday fixture. "No one is complaining about being second at the moment – we’re delighted with our position, and it feels earned because our displays in the opening games have been strong." She added, "I’m looking forward to Sunday.
Facing London City will be intriguing. They have invested heavily this season and assembled a squad with a lot of quality.
It should be a good contest, and we hope to keep our momentum going and secure three points." The outcome of that clash could shape Tottenham’s final standing in May, and the stakes will only increase after the international break when Spurs face Chelsea and Arsenal in back‑to‑back league fixtures. Those matches will provide a clearer picture of where the team truly stands. Tottenham have already netted the most goals in the division – 15 in total – while conceding only two, showcasing a brand of football that combines dominant possession with rapid, attacking transitions. If they emerge from the next three games still within the top three and continue to lead in these statistical categories, they will have a legitimate claim as title contenders.
"Scoring 15 goals in four games is impressive for any side, but it also shows how well we have gelled as a unit," Holdt explained. "We don’t focus on who gets the credit for each goal; we just want to win convincingly – whether it’s 7‑0 or 4‑0.
Everyone is contributing, and if we keep this up, many players will add a goal or two to their tally. The primary objective is three points; the individual scorers are secondary." She continued, "The upcoming fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal will be a good test for us. No disrespect to the teams we have already beaten – they were games we expected to win – but facing clubs of that calibre will show how we measure up. It’s a step up in intensity." Holdt has been one of the most reliable performers under Ho’s management and finished last season as Spurs’ leading scorer, with ten goals across all competitions and eight in the league.
Their partnership appears to be mutually beneficial, contributing significantly to the club’s resurgence. "Martin is an excellent coach who has helped me raise my level in the league," the Denmark international said. "He knows how to instill confidence and energy in the squad, and we also share a strong rapport off the pitch." She elaborated on their relationship: "We respect each other. I can challenge him, and he can challenge me.
That honesty is why it works – Martin tells me the hard truth, and I’m not afraid to be blunt with him. Sometimes it gets heated, but we both want the best for each other, and that mutual respect keeps us moving forward." Although Holdt has primarily featured on the right wing, she has drifted more centrally this season compared with the previous year and says she is happy to occupy any role Ho deems appropriate. "Since joining Spurs, I’ve been used in a few different positions.
We’re still figuring out where I can contribute most and where I can maximise my own abilities," she noted. "Ultimately, Martin makes the decisions. If he wants me on the right flank, I’ll do that. If he sees me as a number‑10, I’ll embrace it.
Even on the left, I’ll give it my all." "I consider myself a versatile attacking player, so the exact spot on the pitch isn’t as important as the overall game plan and having quality teammates around me," Holdt added. "Being able to operate in several areas can confuse opponents – they never know where I’ll appear." Spurs will be hoping that this flexibility and collective spirit continue to disrupt the traditional WSL hierarchy over the coming weeks. Fans can catch the Tottenham versus London City Lionesses clash live on Sky Sports Football at 2 pm on Sunday, with highlights and in‑game clips available shortly after full‑time on Sky’s digital platforms.
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