The pre‑season buzz this year was dominated by talk of Manchester City defending their Women’s Super League crown and speculation about how the revamped London City side would perform. Amidst all that, Tottenham quietly continued to develop the platform that Martin Ho established last campaign.
A key figure in that ongoing progress is Danish forward Olivia Holdt. She arrived at the club in January 2025 under the guidance of then‑manager Robert Vilhammar, who immediately labeled her the "X‑factor" and hinted that she could become one of the league’s elite players. Such lofty praise inevitably brings heightened expectations, and Holdt has already begun to justify the hype, even if she does not dominate the headlines every week. She opened the current season with a spectacular hat‑trick in a 7‑0 demolition of Crystal Palace – a performance she herself called "special" – and Tottenham remain unbeaten in the WSL so far.
The team sit second on the table, three points behind champions‑elect Manchester City and a single point ahead of this weekend’s opponents, the high‑profile London City. "It’s still early days, there are many matches left and it will be a long campaign, but the start looks very promising," Holdt told Sky Sports ahead of the Sunday fixture.
"No one seems annoyed that we’re sitting in second place; we’re delighted with our position and it feels earned because our displays have been strong in the opening games." She added: "I’m looking forward to Sunday’s clash with London City. They have invested heavily this season and brought in quality players, so it will be an exciting test. We hope to keep our momentum going and secure three points." That match could prove pivotal in shaping Tottenham’s final standing in May, as could the two games that follow after the international break when they face Chelsea and Arsenal in quick succession.
Those fixtures will provide a clear barometer for the Spurs side. Tottenham have already shown they possess a potent attack, netting the most goals in the league – 15 so far – while conceding only two. Their style blends dominant possession with rapid, forward‑driven play. If they emerge from the upcoming trio of fixtures still within the top three and maintain their statistical edge, they will be hard to dismiss as genuine title contenders.
"Scoring 15 goals in four games is impressive for any squad, but it also shows how well we have gelled. We don’t worry about who gets the credit for each goal; a 7‑0 win or a 4‑0 victory is what matters. Everyone contributes, and if we keep this rhythm, many players will add a goal or two to their tally. The priority is three points; the individual scorers are secondary," Holdt explained.
She continued, "These upcoming games will be a good test for us. No disrespect to the teams we have already faced, but we expect to take three points from those matches. Facing Chelsea and Arsenal will be an excellent opportunity to gauge where we stand and how we match up against the traditional powerhouses.
It’s a step up in intensity." "Those clubs have dominated the league for years, yet I believe we can hold our own this season and give them a competitive game," Holdt added confidently. Holdt has been one of the most reliable performers under Ho’s tenure and finished last season as Tottenham’s leading scorer, with ten goals in all competitions, eight of which came in the league. Their partnership appears to be mutually beneficial. "Martin is an outstanding coach who has helped me raise my level in the league," the Denmark international said.
"He instills confidence and energy, and we also share a good rapport off the pitch. We respect each other, can disagree when needed, and that honesty has been crucial. 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 operated 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 been deployed in a few different positions. We’re still figuring out where I can contribute most and where I can extract my best performances," she said.
"Ultimately, Martin makes the decisions. If he wants me on the right flank, I’ll do that. If he prefers me as a number 10, I’ll embrace it.
Even on the left, I’ll give it my all." "I consider myself 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 facilitate my role. Being able to operate in various areas can also confuse opponents – they never know where I’ll appear." Holdt and the Spurs squad hope that this flexibility and the element of surprise will continue to unsettle the established order of the WSL in the weeks ahead. 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 the network’s digital platforms. For those looking for extra excitement, the Sky Sports Super 6 competition offers a chance to win £1 million – entry is free.