Middlesbrough defender Emanuel Pogatetz insists it is "human nature" for referees to give more decisions in favour of the biggest clubs.The Austrian believes the big four get more favourable decisions at their home stadiums simply because referees are more acutely aware of the repercussions of high-profile errors.
Boro head to Chelsea this Sunday before meeting Manchester United at the Riverside Stadium seven days later as they bid to finally put any lingering relegation fears to rest, and Pogatetz warned: "You know if you go to a big club like Chelsea you won't get any presents there and you can't expect any help off the referee.
"There's more pressure on the referees from the top clubs because if they make a decision against the top four clubs it will be in the media a long time. If they make a decision against us it will maybe be in the regional papers.
"I think they think twice before giving a decision against a top four club and once before they make a decision against us. But that is just human nature because of the spotlight."
But Pogatetz insists he is still relishing his side's trip to Stamford Bridge with Boro boasting a decent record against the best this season, and buoyed by last weekend's gruelling win over Derby.
And the defender himself is on a high after recently being handed the captain's armband at the Riverside Stadium as well as playing for Austria for the second time in as many months after previously being exiled from the team for almost a year and a half.
Pogatetz played his part in an action-packed match with his side beaten 4-3 by Holland and said: "It was fantastic to be back and it is great at the moment being a leader for both my club and my country.
"It was very important we beat Derby and it was not a nice game to play as we had to hold on and grind the result out.
"The great thing about going into the Chelsea and Manchester United games now is that no-one expects us to get anything out of the games. But if we do that I think we are very close to safety.
"It took a bit of time for our confidence to come back after the Cardiff game but we are feeling good now. We know we're a good team and we know we can go to Chelsea and cause an upset."
Boro boss Gareth Southgate will once again be without suspended pair Mido and Fabio Rochemback, while Robert Huth is a major doubt after missing Germany's midweek clash with Switzerland with a foot injury.
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