Today’s newspapers give an insight to the key factors that could shape this afternoon’s Boat Race, sponsored by Xchanging.

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph Rachel Quarrell says: "Oxford came into 2006 feeling like underdogs, with fewer returning Blues, fewer full internationals and on paper a fraction less power than Cambridge.

"They have countered this by taking a maniacal approach to training, making no assumptions about their opposition, and seeking any edge to put them ahead.

"Cambridge specialise in effortless talent and have weathered a change of chief coach without missing a beat," she adds.

"On still water over a straight 2km course, the smart money would be on Cambridge, and if they are allowed to use their speed they will be hard to beat.

"It’s becoming increasingly hard to bet against a (Sean) Bowden crew with punch and power, but Cambridge aren’t resting on their pedigree this time. That’s what the Boat Race is all about: to decide who is best. Later today, we find out."

Writing in the Independent on Sunday, Christopher Dodd says Cambridge’s experience could give them a big advantage if the weather cuts up rough.

"It looks as if the wind is determined to ruffle the surface as much as the crews in the 152nd Boat Race," he writes. "The forecast is a strong south-westerly to westerly which will make mayhem of much of the four and a quarter miles from Putney to Mortlake; it is going to be a rough ride, during which the experience on board the Cambridge boat could be a trump card."

Dodd also suggests the two Presidents – Tom Edwards and Barney Williams – may prefer to lose the toss if the weather is bad. "If the wind blows today, Edwards and Williams may wish to lose the toss to avoid deciding whether to choose the optimum tide on the outside of the first bend or shelter on the inside of it. Either could be hell."

Kieran West discusses his return to the Boat Race after a five-year break in the Sunday Times.

In an article by Andrew Longmore, headlined ‘Returning hero West determined to turn Boat Race tide, West says: "I know all I can do is equal what I’ve done before by winning another Boat Race," he says.

"But this is a new race, a new team, a new challenge and a new enemy. This isn’t about me or my hat-trick, this is like my first race, and the only record I want after it is ‘winner 2006’."

Daniel Topolski, writing in The Observer, predicts an absorbing race in which the role of the two coxes is crucial.

"The coxes’ roles will be vital," he wrote. "Seb Pearce, who took over the rudder strings for Oxford less than a month ago, knows the Tideway course well, while Peter Rudge, who steered Cambridge last year, is also a Britain international. How they help their men cope with the conditions could be decisive.

"The advent of professional coaches has brought big improvements in the physical and psychological preparation of the crews, who now reach their peak at just the right moment. This means closer races and today should be, barring accidents, an absorbing, tactical battle of wills."

With just a short time to go before the 2006 Boat Race gets underway at 4.35pm today – we won’t have to wait long to find out which crew will emerge as winners of the 152nd Boat Race.