(Credit: Imago)

Cameron Smith

Wed 1 April 2026 12:40, UK Updated Wed 1 April 2026 13:14, UK

Tottenham Hotspur Women’s upcoming FA Cup clash with Chelsea provides Martin Ho’s side with a big chance to prove themselves.

The Lilywhites secured a quarter-final spot in February with a penalty shootout win against London City.

Though, since the Women’s Super League returned earlier this month, Spurs have stumbled – falling away from European contention.

Europe was never going to be the aim heading into the campaign, after an 11th-place finish last term, but the disappointing gap does still remain between Tottenham and the division’s elite sides.

Ho’s side sit fifth in the WSL standings, and are looking to throw themselves among the established few in the coming years – they have a big chance to prove themselves as they chase this goal, with a clash against their London rivals on Monday.

Heavy Arsenal defeat proves immense gap between Tottenham and the elite

For the second week in a row, Tottenham fell to a 5-2 defeat – this time coming at the hands of North London rivals Arsenal at the Emirates.

Since returning from the pause, Spurs have not been in the best of form, having lost against Everton, Manchester City and the aforementioned Arsenal.

Heading into Saturday’s loss, it was an exciting week for the club, with contract extensions for manager Ho and winger Matilda Vinberg announced.

Ho has done an incredible job since taking over as manager, with Spurs now flying high in fifth, and while European football was more of a pipe dream, the fact that the sentence could have been uttered is remarkable given the circumstances when he took over.

Still though, the gap does remain, with Tottenham finding themselves in no mans land between the established elite, and the mid-table region of the table.

Nine points separate Ho’s side and Manchester United in fourth, while Brighton are eight behind the Lilywhites, leaving them in limbo heading into the season’s crunch point.

Chelsea clash hands Tottenham a big chance to test themselves

London rivals Chelsea sit second in the standings, a whole nine points behind runaway leaders Manchester City.

Having beaten Spurs 2-0 away from home earlier this year, they welcome the North London outfit to Kingsmeadow as the sides go head-to-head for a spot in the FA Cup semi-finals.

For Tottenham, the chance is there to test themselves against one of the elite few once again, though this time, in a fixture that represents a final shot at ending the campaign with some success.

With European hopes faded, the FA Cup is the final chance that Spurs have to end the season on a high, with just three league matches remaining.

Unlike recent meetings with Manchester City and Arsenal, Monday’s cup tie has something big on the line for Spurs, in a semi-final spot.

Heading into next term, Ho will be looking to further progress and challenge those at the top on a more consistent basis.

Not only does his side have the chance to test themselves once again, they have the chance to cause a huge upset in the season’s final months.