By Chris Oddo | Thursday February 2, 2017

Davis Cup is here, and though the 2017 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group will begin without a lot of big names (Federer, Nadal, Wawrinka, Del Potro, Nishikori and so many other big names have opted out), there’s still plenty to cheer for. And what we always like to say about Davis Cup is it provides a great platform for lesser-known players to play premium matches on a grand stage.

It's a time-honored Davis Cup tradtion and the laymen-as-potential stars theory will be true more than ever this weekend.

Last season we saw big performances from Borna Coric, Lucas Pouille, Leonardo Mayer and Guido Pella. So, who will it be this year? Let’s take a look at the eight World Group ties and see what we can glean:

Italy at Argentina, Buenos Aires, outdoor clay

With last year's hero Juan Martin Del Potro still resting his big body, the Argentinean team will set about defending their first ever Davis Cup title with a cast of role players. Guido Pella and Carlos Berlocq will step in and try to keep Fabio Fognini, Andreas Seppi and Co. at bay. But the Italians are a strong side, particularly on clay, and will surely provide Argentina with a strong challenge.

Pick: Italy in 5

Russia at Serbia, Nis, Indoor Hard

Novak Djokovic makes his return to Davis Cup for the first time since last year’s World Group (where he went 2-1, losing only in doubles), and he’ll face a duo of intriguing Russians in Karen Khachanov and Daniil Medvedev. The Russians also have Andrey Kuznetsov on the team, but Serbia has the two highest-ranked singles players and the only 12-time major champion. Serbia will get through because of Djokovic, but that won’t make tracking the progress of the Russian youngsters any less interesting .

Pick: Serbia in 4

Spain at Croatia, Osijek, Indoor Hard

Croatia will be without pretty much everybody that helped them get to the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas final last year. No Cilic, no Karlovic, no Coric. The highest-ranked player on the team will be No.223 Franko Skugor. That should make it an easy win for the Spanish, who will lead with Roberto Bautista Agut and Pablo Carreno Busta, No.16 and No.26 in the world, respectively.

Pick: Spain in 3

Belgium at Germany, Frankfurt, Indoor Hard

Another missing player this weekend? David Goffin. That’s a tough blow for Belgium who will go against a team with both experience (Philipp Kohlschreiber) and youth (Alexander Zverev). Don’t think that Steve Darcis and Ruben Bemelmans will have enough to handle that duo.

Pick: Belgium in 4

Czech Republic at Australia, Melbourne, Outdoor Hard

Nick Kyrgios and Jordan Thompson will lead the Aussies at home, against Jiri Vesely and Jan Satral (Radek Stepanek is waiting in the wings). As we write, Jordan Thompson has already defeated Jiri Vesely, so it’s going to be an uphill climb for the Berdych-less (we told you a lot of big names would be missing) Czechs.

Pick: Aussies in 3

Switzerland at USA, Birmingham, Outdoor Hard

No Federer, no Wawrinka? Big problem. Sounds like relegation for the Swiss who will run Marco Chuidinelli and Henri Laaksonen out against Jack Sock and John Isner in singles.

Pick: USA in 3

France at Japan, Tokyo, Indoor Hard

Kei Nishikori is missing, and that's a big blow for the hometown team and their fans who absolutely adore Nishikori. France’s top three players are missing (Monfils and Tsonga and Pouille), so we will chalk it up to depth in this tie in Ariake. With Gilles Simon and Richard Gasquet taking the lead for France they will be the heavy favorite, and likely winners.

Pick: France in 3

Great Britain at Canada, Ottawa, Indoor Hard

Hard to bet against the Brits, given the form of Dan Evans and the relative advantage that Kyle Edmund will have over Vasek Pospisil, but if either Denis Shapovalov or Pospisil can pull an upset, Canada may have a shot. But Jamie Murray and Dominic Inglot will be ready to roll on the doubles court—have to like Great Britain based on experience and form.

Pospisil, who went 10-23 at Tour-Level last year, probably needs a big win more than anything. Maybe the current World No.133 find a way back to form in front of his home crowd.

Pick: Great Britain in 4