MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina – On the upside, Argentina's chances of defeating Spain to capture its first Davis Cup have increased with the absence of injured No. 1 Rafael Nadal.

Yet the players know being the favorites in front of a demanding home crowd could work against them, despite winning 13 straight Davis Cup matches as hosts.

“This is such a dream for all of us, that it's possible that the anxiety, stress and nerves play against you,” Juan Martin del Potro said Wednesday, ahead of the weekend final. “It's such a passionate experience.”

Argentina, which lost in the final on the road against the United States in 1981 and Russia in 2006, will be led by the 20-year-old Del Potro. He'll team with David Nalbandian, Jose Acasuso and Agustin Calleri in the best-of-five series.

Marcel Granollers, who replaced Nadal, David Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez will represent Spain. Nadal withdrew from the Davis Cup final on Nov. 10 because of tendinitis in his right knee.

The series opens Friday with a pair of singles matches. The doubles match is scheduled for Saturday, and the reverse singles will be Sunday.

Nalbandian is expected to play Ferrer on Friday. Argentina captain Alberto Mancini said Wednesday he didn't have a preference regarding competitors for Del Potro, who could face Lopez or Verdasco.

“The good thing is they're both left-handed,” Mancini said.

Argentina chose indoor hardcourt for the series, and the pace suits the players, Mancini said.

“It's a fairly fast court for within the circuit,” he said. “It took us a little time to find the velocity we wanted, and when we got to the point where the boys felt comfortable I said, 'That's it. We're not changing anything.'”

Spain is aiming for its third Davis Cup title after wins in 2000 and 2004. The Spaniards lost three times at Australia in 1965, '67 and 2003.

In the 105 Davis Cup finals, the hosts have won 71 times. In the last six finals, only Croatia defeated host Slovakia in 2005.