There are 116 places between National League North side Macclesfield and Premier League Crystal Palace, but the Silkmen are optimistic they can cause an upset against the holders in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.
Forward Danny Elliott, who has scored five goals in the competition so far this season, said the Eagles’ recent winless run has given him hope.
Advertisement
“They are not in the best form at the minute but they are the holders, we don’t doubt they will be fantastic,” he said.
“Anything can happen. Playing on our pitch and in our environment with our crowd gives us more of an advantage than if we were at Selhurst Park.”
There will be a familiar face in the Palace squad for Elliott, grew up on the same road as their new signing Brennan Johnson and went to the same school as him.
“It feels like a strange full circle moment really,” he said on facing Johnson.
“Playing the holders and all of these David versus Goliath stories, to get something out of the game will be absolutely fantastic. I’d love to score and continue that run, but being able to score an upset would be amazing for the football club.”