Journalists writing in this morning’s national papers give Cambridge the edge over Oxford for this afternoon’s (Saturday) 153rd Boat Race, which is sponsored by Xchanging.

James Cracknell, writing in the Daily Telegraph, said he can’t see past the Light Blues.

“Cambridge are odds-on favourites. Olympic champions, world champions, medallists and five returning Blues: if it were a boxing match it would not have been sanctioned,” he wrote.

“The Boat Race, though, is no slave to the form guide, partly due to the tidal course which can produce appalling conditions, making it a battle of survival as much as a test of oarsmanship.

“Cambridge are a great time-trial crew, but this is side-by-side, and doubts may start to creep in if the crew think they are better than are sticking with them.

“Having said that I can’t see past Cambridge,” he concludes.

In The Times, John Goodbody, also concludes that Cambridge should have the edge – unless Oxford head coach Sean Bowden’s late changes to the Dark Blue crew order have found a winning formula.

“The question is whether Cambridge can harness their enormous ability to ensure victory,” he wrote.

“Cambridge should win this year, unless they unexpectedly fail to fulfil their potential – or Bowden’s gift of alchemy once again transforms the pattern of the event.”

Writing in this morning’s Independent, Chris Dodd said Oxford can’t match Cambridge’s rate off the stake boat, but predicted they will ‘harass for four and a quarter miles of the twisting course’.

He wrote: “Cambridge’s ability to rocket off at 50 strokes to the minute is not enough to sink the Dark Blue streetfighters, but if they can keep their nerve and hit that checkless rhythm, they could be in a dominant position before Hammersmith.

“Oxford have improved in leaps and bounds from this year’s humble beginnings, and like last year when they snatched victory, will fight until the last.”

Rachel Quarrell, writing in the Daily Telegraph and Martin Cross in the Guardian, offer Oxford a glimmer of hope.

Quarrell writes: “The rowers have given seven months of their time, pain, sweat and determination towards winning.

“Something outside the rowing may stop them – clashes and accidents have marred previous races. After two clash-free years steering problems are a risk.

“Cambridge have every reason to win this Boat Race, bar one: that Oxford fervently believe they can.”

And Cross in The Guardian, writes: “By itself, world-class talent is not guarantee of success. The Light Blues have shown enough chinks in their armour to give Oxford that hope that the race is no forgone conclusion.”

Bob McKenzie in the Daily Express focuses on the role of Cambridge cox Rebecca Dowbiggin – a late replacement in the Blue Boat for American Russell Glenn.

He quotes Dowbiggin as saying: “I think I do bring a calmness under pressure, that was one of the reasons I was selected.”

Dowbiggin revealed that she can’t see past the massive shape of her stroke – Thorsten Engelmann – the heaviest rower in Boat Race history. “My eyes are usually focussed somewhere on his torso and I can see the oars in my peripheral vision,” she tells the Daily Express. “I can see ahead, but not directly in front of us and if necessary I put my head out of the boat to avoid collisions.

“They’re not average men. They’re alpha males, physically anyway, but egos are not a massive problem in our boat,” she added.

The 153rd Boat Race gets underway at 4.30pm today (Saturday) – and it looks set to be a thriller.