Swiss Davis Cup captain Severin Luthi Wednesday put his team in an underdog position when they play Spain in this weekend's tennis team event in the first round tie.

Spain, last year’s champion, begins its defense of the Davis Cup against the Swiss in Logrono.

The Spanish are without key players Rafael Nadal, Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez, while the Swiss are without World number one Roger Federer.

"I agree that Spain is the favorite, they are missing players, but they still have a great team,"Luthi was quoted by sports paper Marca.

"Both teams are missing important players, but we still have a chance to win and we have come here to do the best we can," he said.

The Spanish have specially laid their favorite clay surface in the Logrono bullring, where the tie will be played, but the recent poor weather in the country has not helped its condition.

"It has improved in recent days, because it was a bit soft at the start of the week. I was hoping it would be a bit warmer, but I think it is a good venue," commented Luthi.

Meanwhile Stanislas Wawrinka accepted the role as Swiss number one in the absence of Federer.

"I am the number one and I have that responsibility now. I am looking forward to having a good weekend," he said.

The tie begins with the first two singles rubbers on Friday.