Oxford and Cambridge clash again on The Thames on Sunday in the 2017 Boat Race and the Dark Blues of Oxford are odds on to reclaim the title.

The Dark Blue of Cambridge took the title last year and they lead overall, 82 to 79.

Over 250,000 people will flock to the banks of the Thames to cheer on the two crews for the main race, which was first run in 1829 and annually since 1856 – although it was not run during either World War.

Whilst the main men’s crews remain the feature event, the day also sees the reserve crews of Goldie (Cambridge) and Isis (Oxford) take each other on and more recently the female race has become increasingly popular.

Indeed, bookmakers are reporting seeing more money going on the ladies race this year with a big gamble coming on Cambridge and their price is now 2/7 from 4/6.

It’s the opposite story in the men’s contest where the Dark Blues of Oxford are solid 1/3 favourites, ahead of their rivals who are chalked up as 9/4 outsiders. It’s 150/1 for the first dead heat since 1877.

As ever, a sinking is also a popular flutter with 20/1 the price either crew capsize.

Alex Donohue of Ladbrokes said: “An entirely unprecedented boat race gamble is underway in the shape of a mammoth punt on the Cambridge Women’s team. We’ve never known anything like it in all the years of offering odds on both contests.”

“We’ve been inundated with bets on the Light Blue Women and clearly plenty expect them to do the business in style. Sadly for their male counterparts, the opposite is forecast and Oxford are firm favourites in that race.”

Ladbrokes latest betting:
Oxford 1/3
Cambridge 9/4
Dead heat 150/1

Specials:
Oxford sinks 40/1
Cambridge sinks 40/1
Either crew to sink 20/1
Both crews to sink 250/1
Oxford disqualified 25/1
Cambridge disqualified 25/1

Women’s race:
Oxford 5/2
Cambridge 2/7
Dead heat 150/1

Reserve race:
Isis 8/15
Goldie 11/8
Dead heat 150/1