Boat Race 2015: Oxford vs. Cambridge Start Time, Route, TV and Live Stream Info

The annual boat race between the universities of Oxford and Cambridge is one of the most longstanding and traditional occasions on the English sporting calendar.

This weekend, the two prestigious institutions will go head-to-head in the event for the 161st time, with Cambridge leading the overall standings 81-78. Oxford won this event by a massive margin last year, though, and will feel as though momentum is behind them as they bid to cut the gap to two.

Here's all the information you need on where to catch this iconic event and a look at how things are set to pan out when these eternal rivals square off on the River Thames once again.

Date: Saturday, April 11

Time (BST): 4:50 p.m. (Women), 5:50 p.m. (Men)

TV Info: BBC (UK)

Live Stream: BBC iPlayer (UK)

Click here for the full race route.

Oxford Men Looking for Third Straight Win

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

As these two teams geared up for the race back in April 2008, the light blue jerseys of Cambridge boasted a six-race lead over the darker shade of blue donned by their rivals. But after winning five of the last seven runnings of this event, Oxford have the chance to cut the gap to just two in this prolonged series.

This is how the race panned out last year:

Coming into this one, it's the team on the chase who are favourites once again. With memories of that 11-length win from 2014 still fresh—the largest winning margin since 1973—Oxford's spirits will be buoyed, and with a star-studded squad at their disposal, the Dark Blues look ready to decrease the deficit further.

Here's a look at how their preparations have been going ahead of Saturday's showdown, per the university's official Twitter feed:

While the reserve races between the two teams have often provided an excellent warm-up for the main event, this year, those spectators set to line the banks of the River Thames will be treated to what should be three engrossing races. That's because the women's equivalent will be held on the Tideway on the same day for the first time ever.

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

In their series, it's Cambridge who hold a sizeable overall lead of 41-28, but having triumphed in 11 of the last 15 races, Oxford are on the charge and look to be the massive favourites to sample victory once again this weekend.

The Dark Blues team will be hoping that things go a lot better for them on race day than they have been going in practice, however, as noted here by The Independent:

Provided the weather doesn't whip up a storm this weekend, it's going to be a fine day for Oxford. While they are behind in both disciplines, the men and women representing the university have massive impetus behind them after their dominance in recent years.

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Cambridge will be hoping to put things right, and maybe some tougher conditions will prove to be something of a leveller on the day. But if both crews perform to their maximum, the Light Blues will be looking over their shoulders with festering concern by the time the race comes around again in 2016.