The pre‑season buzz this year largely revolved around Manchester City’s attempt to retain the Women’s Super League crown and the prospects for the newly assembled London City side. Meanwhile, Tottenham quietly continued the work laid down by Martin Ho during the previous campaign, reinforcing the squad and sharpening their tactics. A key figure in that ongoing development has been Danish international Olivia Holdt.
She arrived at the club in January 2025 under the guidance of then‑manager Robert Vilhammar, who immediately labelled her the team’s "X‑factor" and suggested she possessed the qualities to become one of the league’s elite players. Those lofty compliments brought with them high expectations, and Holdt has already begun to justify the hype, even if she does not dominate the headlines on a daily basis. She opened the current season with a spectacular hat‑trick in a 7‑0 demolition of Crystal Palace – a performance she later described as "special".
Tottenham have yet to taste defeat in the WSL this term and currently sit second on the table, three points adrift of Manchester City and a point ahead of the upcoming opponents, the much‑talked‑about 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 annoyed that we’re second at the moment – we’re happy with our position and we feel it’s earned because our displays have been strong in the opening matches." She added, "I’m looking forward to Sunday.
It will be interesting to face London City – they have invested heavily this season and brought in a number of high‑quality players. It should be a good game, and we hope to keep our momentum going and collect three points again." The outcome of that clash could provide a clear indicator of where Tottenham might finish in May. The following two fixtures after the international break – against Chelsea and Arsenal – will be equally telling, as they pit the Spurs against the traditional powerhouses of English women’s football.
These matches will offer a genuine litmus test for the team that has already netted the most league goals (15) while conceding only two. Their style combines dominant possession with quick, attacking transitions, and they have already proven capable of winning by large margins – 7‑0 and 4‑0 victories demonstrate a collective willingness to score rather than relying on a single star. "Scoring 15 goals in four games is impressive for any side, but it also shows how well we have gelled. We don’t focus on who gets the goal; we just want to win 7‑0 or 4‑0.
Everyone contributes, and if we keep this up many players will add a goal or two to their tally. The most important thing is securing the three points, and while individual scorers matter, they are secondary to the team result," Holdt explained.
She also highlighted the upcoming tests: "It will be a good challenge for us. No disrespect to the teams we have already faced – we expected to take three points from those games. Facing Chelsea and Arsenal will be a different level, a real chance to see where we stand and how we can compete against the established elite." Holdt has been one of the most reliable performers under Martin Ho, finishing last season as Tottenham’s top scorer with ten goals in all competitions, eight of which came in the league.
Their partnership appears mutually beneficial, with Holdt crediting the coach for much of her progress. "Martin is an excellent coach and has helped me raise my game in the league," the Danish forward said.
"He instils confidence and energy, and we also share a strong bond off the pitch. We respect each other, can disagree when needed, and speak honestly.
He 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 the team, and that mutual respect makes it work." Although Holdt has primarily been deployed on the right wing, she notes that she has drifted more centrally this season compared with the previous year and is happy to occupy any role Ho deems appropriate.
"Since joining Spurs I’ve played in several positions. We’re still figuring out where I can help the side most and where I can get the best out of myself.
Ultimately, Martin makes the decisions – if he wants me on the right, I’ll do it; if he prefers me as a number 10, I’m happy to adapt; even on the left I’ll give it my all," she said. "I see myself as a versatile attacking player, so my exact position isn’t as important as the overall game plan and having quality teammates around me. Being able to operate in different areas can also make it harder for opponents because they never know where I’ll appear," Holdt added.
Spurs hope that this flexibility and collective spirit will continue to unsettle the established order of the WSL in the weeks ahead. Fans can catch the upcoming 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 Sports’ digital platforms. For those looking for a bit of extra excitement, the Sky Sports Super 6 competition offers a chance to win £1 million, with free entry available to all viewers.