The pre‑season buzz this year has largely revolved around Manchester City’s attempt to defend their WSL crown and the prospects for the newly assembled London City squad. Amidst all that chatter, Tottenham have been quietly reinforcing the platform that Martin Ho constructed last term. One of the key figures in that ongoing project is Danish international Olivia Holdt.
Holdt arrived at Spurs in January 2025, signed by then‑manager Robert Vilhammar, who immediately hailed her as the team’s "X‑factor" and suggested she could evolve into one of the league’s premier talents. Those lofty compliments brought with them heightened expectations, and Holdt has begun to justify the hype, even if she does not dominate headlines on a daily basis. She opened the current campaign with a spectacular hat‑trick in a 7‑0 demolition of Crystal Palace – a performance she described as "special". Tottenham remain unbeaten in the WSL, occupying second place, three points adrift of Manchester City and a single point ahead of this weekend’s opponents, the high‑profile London City.
"It’s still early days, there are plenty of games 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 seems to find it irritating that we sit second at the moment – we’re delighted with our position, and it feels earned because our displays have been strong in the opening matches." She added: "I’m excited for Sunday.
Facing London City will be intriguing. They have invested heavily this season and brought in a number of quality players, so it promises to be a good contest. Hopefully we can keep our momentum and secure 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 Spurs meet Chelsea and Arsenal in back‑to‑back WSL fixtures.
Those encounters will provide a clear barometer of where the team truly stands. Spurs have already demonstrated a potent attacking edge, having netted the most league goals (15) while conceding only twice.
Their style combines dominant possession with quick, forward‑driven play. If they can preserve those statistics through the next three matches and remain within the top three, they will be hard to ignore as genuine title contenders. "Scoring 15 goals in four games is impressive, but it also shows how well we have clicked as a unit," Holdt explained. "We don’t worry about who gets the credit for each goal – whether it’s a 7‑0 win or a 4‑0 victory, the important thing is that the whole squad contributes.
If we keep this rhythm, many of us will add a goal or two to our tallies. The primary aim is always three points; individual goal‑scorers are secondary." She continued, "The upcoming fixtures will be a good test. No disrespect to the teams we have already faced – we expected to take three points from those games. Facing clubs like Chelsea and Arsenal will be a step up and will reveal how we measure up against the traditional powerhouses.
Those opponents have dominated for years, but I believe we can stand our ground and give them a strong performance." Holdt has been one of the most reliable performers under Ho’s guidance and finished last season as Spurs’ leading scorer, tallying ten goals across all competitions, eight of which came in the league. Their partnership appears mutually beneficial and has been a cornerstone of Tottenham’s resurgence.
"Martin is an excellent coach and has helped me raise my level in the league," Holdt said. "His ability to instill confidence and energy in the squad is vital, and we also share a solid relationship off the pitch. There is mutual respect – we can disagree, and we speak honestly with each other.
Martin tells me the hard truth, and I’m not afraid to be blunt with him. It can get heated, but both of us want what’s best for the team, and that respect makes it work." Although primarily deployed on the right wing, Holdt has drifted more centrally this season compared with the previous campaign. She emphasised her willingness to occupy any role that benefits the side. "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 get the best out of myself," she noted. "Ultimately, Martin decides where I play – whether it’s the right flank, as a number‑10, or even on the left – I’m happy to adapt." "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 facilitate my role.
Being able to operate in various areas can also unsettle opponents; they never know where I’ll appear." Looking ahead, Holdt and the Spurs squad hope that this flexibility and collective confidence will continue to disrupt the established WSL hierarchy over the coming weeks. Tottenham’s clash with London City Lionesses will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Football at 2 pm on Sunday, with highlights and in‑game clips available shortly after full‑time on the network’s digital platforms. Fans can also take part in the Sky Sports Super 6 competition for a chance to win £1 million, with free entry.