Argentina and Russia meet in Buenos Aires this weekend for a place in the 2008 Davis Cup final. Not only is a final berth up for grabs for both nations but also the likelihood of a final on home soil for either of them.

Both are scheduled for home encounters the next time either face Spain, who will in all probability make up one half of this year’s final.

While Russia are looking to claim their third Davis Cup, Argentina are still eagerly chasing what would be a first Davis Cup triumph in their history. The last time these nations met was in the 2006 final, when Marat Safin clinched victory for Russia in Moscow after a four -set win against Jose Acasuso.

Neither player will be a part of proceedings this weekend; Safin was excused duty by captain Shamil Tarpischev to concentrate on elevating his singles ranking with a tournament the following week in Bangkok, while Acasuso’s form has not merited a call-up to the Argentina squad on this occasion (despite reaching the last four in Bucharest last week).

Argentina’s squad consists of David Nalbandian, Juan Martin del Potro, Guillermo Canas and Agustin Calleri. Nalbandian is the undoubted leader of the Argentina side and his Davis Cup record is quite phenomenal. In the past few years the former Wimbledon finalist has gained outstanding victories away from home against the likes of Lleyton Hewitt, Nikolay Davydenko and Safin. However, it’s at home where Nalbandian is at his most dangerous and he remains unbeaten in singles and doubles ties in Argentina; a record which spans 15 matches.

Nalbandian will be expected to carry Argentina’s hopes, as ever, but this time he should be well supported by Del Potro, who is beginning to deliver on his well-documented potential. He recently won four tournaments in succession before Andy Murray finally stopped his charge in the last eight of the US Open.

‘Kamikaze’ (a nickname Del Potro picked up in his challenger days) has yet to experience Davis Cup action in Argentina and he will surely relish the football-like atmosphere generated by 14,000 fans at the Parque Roca.

Argentina captain Alberto Mancini has indicated that for this tie in particular it is likely the team will not call on Nalbandian to play on all three days, thus sapping his energy. Instead the doubles line up is likely to be made up of Calleri and Canas, while Nalbandian and Del Potro are saved purely for singles action.

Russia's men haven’t been as successful in recent years as the Russian women in international team competition, but have still been the most consistent and adaptable nation in recent times in Davis Cup. Russia can count on a number of high-calibre players and that means that even without the services of Safin and Mikhail Youzhny; they still travel to Argentina with a side capable of causing what would be an upset.

Argentina haven’t tasted defeat at home since 1998 and that is the challenge that lies in store for Davydenko, Igor Andreev, Dmitry Tursunov and Igor Kunitsyn. Russia doe

have experience of winning in South America and that may well be of benefit to them for this upcoming tie.

Andreev was the star last time out in South America, when he defeated Fernando Gonzalez and Nicolas Massu in Chile last year. If any nation is capable of breaking Argentina’s home dominance then it is the Russians with a squad adaptable enough to succeed on any surface given the personnel at their disposal throughout the year.  

Buoyed by what will be magnificent home support and with a Davis Cup final in Argentina within their grasp, it’s hard to predict anything other than an Argentina win, as difficult as the Russians may make it.