The pre‑season narrative this year has largely revolved around Manchester City’s attempt to defend their Women's Super League crown and the prospects of London City’s revamped lineup. Amidst all the speculation, Tottenham Hotspur Women have been quietly progressing, reinforcing the platform that Martin Ho established last campaign. A key figure in that ongoing development is Danish international Olivia Holdt. She arrived at the club in January 2025 under the guidance of former manager Robert Vilahamn, who immediately highlighted her as possessing an "X‑factor" and the potential to become one of the league’s elite performers.
Such lofty praise naturally brought heightened expectations, and Holdt has already begun to justify those words, even if she does not dominate the headlines on a daily basis. Her start to the current season could not have been more emphatic: a hat‑trick in a 7‑0 demolition of Crystal Palace, a result Holdt herself described as "special". Tottenham remain unbeaten in the WSL, occupying second place, three points shy of Manchester City and a point ahead of this weekend’s opponents, the high‑profile London City. The team’s confidence is evident, and Holdt’s comments ahead of the Sunday clash on Sky Sports reflected that optimism.
"It’s still early, there are plenty of games left and it will be a long campaign, but so far things are looking very positive," Holdt said in an exclusive interview. "Nobody is annoyed that we’re second at the moment – we’re happy with where we are and it feels deserved because our performances in the opening fixtures have been strong." She added a note of anticipation for the upcoming match against London City: "I’m looking forward to Sunday. It will be interesting to face a side that has invested heavily this season and brought in quality players.
It should be a good game, and we hope to keep our momentum and secure three points." That upcoming fixture could prove pivotal in shaping Tottenham’s final league position in May, as could the subsequent games against Chelsea and Arsenal after the international break. These three high‑profile encounters will offer a clear barometer of the Spurs side’s capacity to compete with the league’s traditional powerhouses. Tottenham’s statistics so far underline their threat: they have already scored the most goals in the division – 15 in total – while conceding only two.
Their style combines dominant possession with swift, attacking transitions, a formula that has produced convincing 7‑0 and 4‑0 victories. Holdt summed up the team’s ethos: "We don’t focus on who scores; we focus on winning.
If everyone contributes, the goals will follow. The most important thing is securing the three points, the individual scorers are secondary." When asked about the quality of their opposition, Holdt was pragmatic: "It’s a good test for us. We respect the teams we have faced, but we expect to take three points from those games.
Facing Chelsea and Arsenal will be a step up and will show us where we truly stand." She continued, "Those clubs have been at the top for years, but I believe we can hold our own this season and give them a tough contest." Holdt’s impact under Ho has been consistent; she finished last season as Tottenham’s leading scorer with ten goals across all competitions, eight of which came in the league. The relationship between player and coach appears mutually beneficial, as Holdt praised Ho’s influence on her development. "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 remarkable, and we also share a strong bond off the pitch." She highlighted their open communication: "We respect each other. I can challenge him and he can challenge me. That honesty has been crucial – Martin tells me the hard truth, and I’m not afraid to be direct with him.
Sometimes it gets heated, but we both want the best for each other, and that mutual respect makes it work." Although Holdt has primarily featured on the right wing, this season she has drifted more centrally compared with the previous campaign. She emphasised her willingness to adapt to whatever role Ho deems best for the team. "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. Ultimately, Martin makes the decisions – if he wants me on the right, I’ll be there; if he prefers me as a number 10, I’ll embrace it; even on the left, I’ll give it my all." She described herself as a versatile attacker: "My exact position on the pitch isn’t as important as the overall game plan and having quality teammates around me. Being able to operate in different areas can also confuse opponents – they never know where I’ll appear." Looking ahead, Holdt and the Spurs squad hope that this flexibility and collective resolve will continue to upset the established hierarchy of the WSL. Their next fixtures against London City Lionesses, Chelsea, and Arsenal will be crucial in determining whether they can maintain their early-season surge and remain genuine title contenders.
Fans can catch Tottenham’s clash with London City Lionesses live on Sky Sports Football at 1.30 pm on Sunday, with kick‑off scheduled for 2 pm. Highlights and in‑game clips will be available shortly after full‑time on Sky Sports’ digital platforms.
For those interested in a side‑bet, the Super 6 competition offers a chance to win £1 million, with free entry available now.