The pre‑season buzz this year has largely revolved around Manchester City’s attempt to defend their WSL crown and the prospects for London City’s revamped lineup. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur have been quietly progressing, adding layers to the platform that Martin Ho constructed last campaign. A key figure in that ongoing development is Danish forward Olivia Holdt. She arrived at the North London club in January 2025 under the guidance of then‑manager Robert Vilhammar, who praised her as possessing an "X‑factor" and the potential to become one of the league’s elite talents.
Those lofty compliments brought heightened expectations, and Holdt has already begun to justify the hype, even if she does not dominate headlines on a daily basis. Her season got off to a flying start with a hat‑trick in a 7‑0 demolition of Crystal Palace – a performance Holdt herself labelled as "special".
Tottenham remain unbeaten in the WSL, occupying the second spot on the table, three points shy of Manchester City and a point ahead of this weekend’s opponents, the high‑profile London City. "It’s still very early, there are plenty of games left and it will be a long season, but so far things are looking great," Holdt told Sky Sports ahead of the Sunday fixture.
"No one seems to find it irritating that we’re currently second – we’re happy with where we are, and it feels earned because our displays in the opening matches have been strong." She added, "I’m looking forward to Sunday. It’ll be interesting to face London City. They’ve invested heavily this summer and brought in quality players, so it should be a good test.
If we keep our momentum we can grab three points again." The outcome of that clash could shape Tottenham’s final standing in May, as could the two games that follow after the international break when they meet Chelsea and Arsenal in back‑to‑back WSL fixtures. Those matches will provide a clearer picture of how the Spurs side measures up against the traditional powerhouses. Spurs have already demonstrated a potent attacking edge, leading the league with 15 goals while conceding only two.
Their style is built on dominant possession and swift, forward‑moving play. If they maintain this output and keep their defensive solidity over the next three games, they will remain in the top three and continue to lead key statistical categories – a strong argument for being counted among the title contenders. "Scoring 15 goals in four games is impressive for any individual, but it shows how well we’ve gelled as a unit," Holdt explained.
"We don’t obsess over who gets the credit for each goal; we just want to win big, whether it’s 7‑0 or 4‑0. Everyone contributes, and if we keep this rhythm many of us will add a goal or two to our tallies.
The priority is three points; the scorers are secondary." She continued, "The upcoming fixtures will be a good test. No disrespect to the teams we’ve already beaten – they were expected wins – but facing Chelsea and Arsenal will show where we truly stand.
It’s a step up in intensity. Those clubs have dominated for years, yet I believe we can hold our own and give them a strong performance." Holdt has been one of the most reliable performers under Ho’s tenure, finishing last season as Tottenham’s top scorer with ten goals across all competitions, eight of which came in the league. Their partnership appears mutually beneficial, fueling the club’s resurgence.
"Martin is an excellent coach and has helped me raise my game in the league," the Denmark international said. "His ability to instill confidence and energy in the squad is vital.
We also share a good rapport off the pitch." She elaborated on their relationship: "We respect each other. I can challenge him, and he can challenge me. That honesty makes things work – Martin tells me the hard truth, and I’m not afraid to speak my mind.
Sometimes it gets heated, but we both want the best for the team, and that mutual respect keeps us moving forward." Although Holdt is most often deployed on the right wing, she has drifted more centrally this season compared with the previous year, and she is comfortable wherever Ho decides to place her. "Since joining Spurs, I’ve played in several positions.
We’re still figuring out where I can add the most value and where I can maximise my own strengths," she noted. "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 adapt; if he tries me on the left, I’ll give it my best." "I see myself as a versatile attacker, so my exact spot on the pitch isn’t as important as the overall game plan and having quality teammates around me to support my role," Holdt added. "Being able to operate in different areas can confuse opponents – they never know where I’ll appear." Looking ahead, Holdt and the Spurs squad hope that versatility and consistency will continue to unsettle the established WSL hierarchy.
Their upcoming fixtures against London City Lionesses, Chelsea, and Arsenal will be critical in cementing their claim as genuine challengers. Fans can catch Tottenham’s clash with London City Lionesses 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. Additionally, Sky’s Super 6 competition offers a chance to win £1 million, with free entry for viewers.