Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter expects his side to approach Tuesday's clash with Mamelodi Sundowns as if the first-half of the season never happened.
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South Africa's top flight has been on hold since the end of December, but following the conclusion of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, the focus now returns to the Premiership.
Amakhosi enter the tie at the top of the standings, although they only hold a one-point lead over second-placed Orlando Pirates, who host SuperSport United on Wednesday.
Barker's men were in impressive form before the break, unlike their midweek opponents, who only just climbed out of the relegation zone before the festive intermission.
"The game against Sundowns is going to be difficult," Barker told the media on Monday ahead of Chiefs' trip to Loftus Stadium. "To us it's all about the next game, what happened in the past has got little influence in the upcoming encounter.
"Under Pitso Mosimane, Sundowns have done well to move from the bottom of the table after a slow start to the season.
"Pressure has to go out of the window in order for us to give a good performance on the day. If you ask me, it is better to have pressure at the top than at the bottom - at the bottom it can be worse."
The Glamour Boys had several players competing at AFCON, namely skipper Itumeleng Khune and PSL joint-top scorer Bernard Parker, and Baxter recognises his returning internationals will need to be managed carefully.
He added: "It is a difficult one to call. There is the element of fatigue and to decide who to rest and who to play will be advised by scientific analysis.
"Whether we rest them all or play them all is difficult but either way we will give a good performance."
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