It is that time of year again when the two Oxford and Cambridge crews face-off on the River Thames for the right to be crowned the winner of the University Boat Race. We take a look at the odds ahead of the Men’s event on Sunday afternoon, which will be broadcast live on BBC One and new customers can Register today to get £30 in Free Bets after an initial £10 Bet at Evens or Longer. Full details at the bottom of the article…
For many it is just a curiosity but for those involved it is one of the most important elements of their time at university. It has been a tradition that spans over 150 years with the race having been held annually every year since 1856. Only the two World Wars and the Covid-19 lockdown of 2020 have stopped these two teams contesting who has rowing superiority.
The odds for the race this year have Oxford as a pretty big favourite. They are the defending champions having won the 2022 event by two-and-a-quarter lengths. What they don’t have however is any winning experience in the boat as all eight men and the cox were not on the water when they won the race a year ago. This is relatively unusual as often we see some of the same names returning.
Alex Bebb was not selected in 2022 but was part of the losing team in 2021 as was James Forward and Jean-Philippe Dufour. So the bow and seats number two and six do return some knowledge of this course and the event as a whole. Can they utilise that to ensure they don’t lose for a second time?
Cambridge bring back one rower who raced a year ago. Seat number seven will once again be occupied by Ollie Parish, who will be participating for a third time. He won the race in 2021 as did Seb Benzecry who returns to the squad albeit in a different position. He’ll sit in seat four having won the race from seat three two years ago.
So overall only five of the student athletes bring back any knowledge but it is Cambridge who have more winning history in their boat. If you think previous success is a good marker for future wins then maybe you fancy the underdog?
Oxford however are the 4/7 favourites with Cambridge priced up at 5/4. If you want to back the dead heat then you can do so at 100/1.
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