The pre‑season conversation has largely revolved around Manchester City’s bid to defend their WSL crown and the prospects of the revamped London City squad. Meanwhile, Tottenham quietly continued their own project, strengthening the platform that Martin Ho established last term.
A key figure in that ongoing development is Danish winger Olivia Holdt. She arrived at the North London club in January 2025 under the guidance of then‑manager Robert Vilahamn, who immediately labelled her the team’s "X‑factor" and hinted that she could evolve into one of the league’s elite talents. Such lofty praise naturally creates high expectations, and Holdt has already begun to justify the hype, even if she does not dominate every headline. She opened the current campaign with a hat‑trick in a 7‑0 demolition of Crystal Palace – a performance she herself called "special" – and Tottenham have yet to taste defeat in the WSL.
The Spurs sit in second place, three points adrift of Manchester City and a single point ahead of this weekend’s opponents, the headline‑grabbing London City. "It’s still early days, there are plenty of matches left and it will be a long season, but so far things are looking very positive," Holdt told Sky Sports ahead of the Sunday fixture. "No one is complaining that we’re second at the moment – we’re delighted with our position, and it’s earned because our displays have been strong in the opening games." She added, "I’m excited for Sunday. It will be intriguing to face London City.
They have invested heavily this season and have assembled a squad of high‑quality players. It should be a good contest, and I hope we can keep our momentum and secure three points again." Those points could prove pivotal in shaping Tottenham’s final standing in May, especially when followed by matches against Chelsea and Arsenal after the international break. The trio of fixtures will offer a clear barometer of where the Spurs truly rank among England’s elite.
Tottenham’s early statistics are impressive: they have already netted the most league goals – fifteen – while conceding only two. Their style blends dominant possession with rapid, attacking transitions, and they have delivered scorelines such as 7‑0 and 4‑0 with ease.
Holdt summed up the team’s philosophy: "We’ve scored fifteen goals in four games, which is remarkable, but it shows how well we have clicked together. We don’t worry about who gets the goals; we just want to win big. If everyone contributes, a lot of us will end up on the scoresheet, but the primary aim is the three points." Looking ahead, Holdt emphasized the importance of the upcoming tests: "It will be a good challenge for us. No disrespect to the sides we have already beaten – we expected three points from those games.
Facing clubs like Chelsea and Arsenal will be a real gauge of our progress and a step up in competition. Those teams have been at the top for years, but I believe we can stand up to them and deliver a strong performance." Holdt has been one of the most reliable performers under Ho’s tenure and finished last season as Tottenham’s leading scorer, tallying ten goals across all competitions, eight of which came in the league.
Their partnership appears mutually beneficial, with Holdt crediting Ho for much of her success. "He’s an excellent coach who has helped me raise my level in the league," the Denmark international explained.
"His ability to instill confidence and energy in the squad is vital, and we also share a good relationship off the pitch. There’s mutual respect – we can disagree, but we’re honest with each other. Martin tells me the hard truth, and I do the same. Sometimes it gets intense, but we both want the best for each other, and that respect makes it work." Although Holdt has traditionally operated on the right flank, she notes that she has been deployed more centrally this season than previously, and she embraces any role Ho deems appropriate.
"Since joining Spurs, I’ve played in several positions. We’re still figuring out where I can contribute most and where I can maximise my own performance," she said. "Ultimately, Martin makes the decisions.
If he wants me on the right wing, I’ll do that. If he sees me as a number ten, I’ll embrace that. Even on the left, I’ll give it my all." "I view myself as a versatile attacking player, so my exact spot on the pitch isn’t as important as the overall game plan and having quality teammates around me to help me find my role," Holdt added. "Being able to operate in different areas can also confuse opponents – they never know where I’ll appear." Spurs will be hoping that this flexibility and the collective confidence they have built will continue to unsettle the established WSL hierarchy in the weeks to come.
Fans can catch the Tottenham versus London City Lionesses clash live on Sky Sports Football at 1:30 pm (kick‑off at 2:00 pm) on Sunday, with highlights and in‑game clips available shortly after full‑time on Sky Sports’ digital platforms. Additionally, Sky’s Super 6 competition offers a chance to win £1 million, with free entry for viewers.