On Monday, Emmanuel and Wolfson will meet in one of the most eagerly anticipated intercollegiate matchups this year. But this is no mere Cuppers fixture – this is University Challenge, Both teams are competing for a space in the grand final, and the chance to be the fourth Cambridge college in a row to lift the prestigious title.

On paper, it is clear who will start as the favourites. Series champions in 2010, Emmanuel College has made short work of the opposition thus far, defeating Nottingham 175-135 in Round 1, and following up with a 195-130 win over SOAS. In the quarter finals, Emma were even more convincing, first dispatching Warwick by 200 points to 90, and securing their place in the semi-finals with a 170-55 demolition of Corpus Christi College, Oxford.

By comparison, Wolfson are newcomers to University Challenge, having made only one prior appearance on the BBC show, an ignominious exit to Sussex University in the first round of the 2003–4 competition. Like Emmanuel, Wolfson defeated SOAS in Round 1, but required a nervy tie-breaker to eke out a 185-175 win.

Nerves were steadied by a solid 225-140 victory over Jesus in Round 2, and a 165-135 win over Balliol College, Oxford in their first quarter final match; however, a narrow 195-160 loss against Edinburgh left the team needing to win a third quarter final match. Despite a late surge from Warwick University, Wolfson were able to hold on to their early advantage to close out their semi final place with a 205-175 win.

But statistics only tell part of the story. All eyes will be on the two team captains, who have been catapulted to superstardom (and meme status) by their performances so far in the competition. Emmanuel captain Bobby Seagull, from Newham in London, has gathered thousands of followers on Twitter, received a pencil-sketch portrait from an adoring fan, as well as taking eighth place on The Tab’s BNOC list.

Canadian Eric Monkman, captaining Wolfson, was described by one follower as like “a fire & brimstone lay preacher in the Rural Midwest”, echoing host (and former Varsity editor) Jeremy Paxman’s comment that he sounded like “a revivalist preacher”. His intense delivery style and stunning knowledge have led to the rise of the ‘Monkmania’ hashtag on Twitter. Monkman is a veteran of television quiz shows, having appeared on Canadian quiz show Reach for the Top as a highschooler.

Twitter is suitably hyped:

Both captains have unquestionably already secured their place in the pantheon of famous University Challenge Cantabs. In 2015, Ted Loveday became a Facebook celebrity with his storming performance in the final, powering Caius to a famous victory by answering ten starter questions successfully – most famously realising almost immediately that the answer to one question was ‘hapax legomenon’. One year earlier, Trinity captain Ralph Morley became the subject of ‘Thug Life’ memes for talking back to Paxman – answering one question early, and then telling the former Newsnight host “well, what else was it going to be?”

Monday’s showdown has been described by one Twitter user as “the #UniversityChallenge equivalent of the Rumble in the Jungle”. Despite the hot competition, the two captains remain on good terms, describing themselves as “best of friends and rivals”. On Monday evening, however, the gloves will be off. Only one can win, and earn the chance to play Edinburgh or Balliol College, Oxford for the University Challenge title. Tune in at 8pm on BBC Two to catch this clash of titans