Melbourne travel to Skilled Park to take on Miron Bleiberg's men on Sunday, with Smeltz unavailable as he seeks a new club deal in Turkey.

Merrick said that while the absence of the two-time A-League Golden Boot winner will be felt by the Gold Coast, he believes Bleiberg has the depth to cover for the loss of the New Zealand international.

"I think Smeltz is a very good player and we've lost another good, quality player from the A-League, which is a pity, but they've got a good squad," Merrick said.

"(Joel) Porter is playing well up front and they've got Jason Culina, Golgol Mebrahtu and Tahj Minniecon.

"We've lost Archie Thompson, but it's not a thing we'll dwell on. I think it will be a very tough match up there."

Melbourne and Gold Coast have played each other on three previous occasions and they have tended to be open and attacking affairs. Merrick does not think things will be any different on Sunday.

"Early on each season, especially when we are playing at home, we tend to face teams who really pack the defence and play a counter-attacking game. I would think it would be unusual for Miron to do that with a Gold Coast team," he said.

"I don't think he will. I think he's got enough players to have a go at us. He usually plays with two strikers and Culina in behind and I can't see him changing from that."

It has been an unusually quiet start to the season for Bleiberg, whose bold predictions ahead of the club's debut campaign last season caused some ripples among the rest of the league.

While Bleiberg's outspoken manner could not be any different to the notoriously circumspect Merrick, the Melbourne coach has the utmost respect for both the coach and the club and believes they will be one of the teams to beat this season.

"Everyone is different. So as coaches, Miron and I are probably polar opposites, but I still appreciate what he does," he said.

"He certainly gets in the paper and promotes the game. The club, I thought had tremendous success in their first year. It was a very tough first year for them and they finished third.

"I think they are still a glamour, glitzy club and I'm glad they are part of the league and I think they'll get stronger."