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Paul McGinley says this week's Ryder Cup is too close to call having looked at the make-up of both teams.
The Irishman leads Europe into battle at Gleneagles, with his only aim of retaining the trophy on home soil against the United States.
Both teams have congregated at the Scottish venue ahead of Friday's start and McGinley said: "We're slight favourites, but we have been favourites before in the Ryder Cups, it's not like this is the first time.
"I think our players have deserved it and it's a situation where, if we are going to be favourites, it's not something to be ashamed of. A little calculation I did myself when the teams were announced. Tom's team average rank is 16 and ours is 18. So this is not a weak American team."
United States captain Tom Watson also felt Europe's favourites tag would not have a big bearing on the outcome.
He said: "The media, the people who look at the teams, they look at Rory McIlroy, they look at Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and think the European team is loaded.
"But when the matches start on Friday morning there's going to be an equality of play. I know our team are totally committed to bringing the cup back."
Watson flew in with his team to Edinburgh Airport on Monday before travelling up to Perthshire while McGinley awaited the arrival of all of his stars at different intervals.
Europe's captain said: "As great as Tom's achievements have been on the golf course I'm sure he's proud to be here as captain in a country that's been so good to him in terms of his major championship wins.
"We're not arriving as collectively as the Americans. We're arriving in different stages, people coming from all over the world. Martin Kaymer from Germany, Henrik Stenson from Sweden, Sergio Garcia from Spain and Graeme McDowell from Northern Ireland.
"They're coming at different times, the deadline is 6pm (Monday). The last one to arrive today is Graeme, around four o'clock, and then everyone will be on site and then, just as Tom says, we'll be ready to go."
The duo agreed that their pairings this weekend would be done with the thought of mixing together the golfers' professional attributes.
Watson said: "A part of me, when I chose the captain's picks, was about chemistry. Obviously Webb Simpson and Bubba Watson have good chemistry.
"Also Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson have good chemistry that they've shown in the past. You have to go back on past experiences. Also the way they're playing is a big factor as well. There's no one factor, it's a combination of factors."
McGinley added: "It's similar. I picked two players in Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter and have gone with Stephen Gallacher who's arguably the hottest player who just missed out.
"A bit like Tom it's a mixture, three guys that you know would fit into the team and three guys who can be easily paired."
