Back in round eight, United battled with ten men for an hour after Steve Fitzsimmons was shown a first half red card, but a controversial 86th minute penalty, converted at the second attempt by Kevin Muscat, gave Melbourne a 3-2 win.

In round 16 at Etihad Stadium, Victory swamped a heavily depleted Gold Coast side running out comfortable 4-0 winners, but Friday's clash will be different according to Okon, with United having a near fully fit squad to choose from.

"Everyone is fit and raring to go for this one. They are all bursting out of their skins to play on Friday night and nobody wants to miss out," said the former Socceroo skipper.

"With half a team we got well beaten down there and earlier in the season we did well with ten men but lost to a late, twice-taken penalty.

"This time will be different though. Finally we can face Melbourne with everyone on board and it's going to be a good game with a lot at stake.

"It's a huge game by any description. Certainly it's the match of the round and the biggest game in our season so far in terms of how important the result is for both teams.

"Melbourne are the champions; they're a very good side, but there's everything to play for as far as we are concerned."

With three teams in the running for the title, United's assistant coach believes the season is very much alive for the fledgling club, despite slipping to third place over the weekend.

Two of Gold Coast's remaining matches are at home and with Sydney facing Melbourne in the last game of the season, Okon says United's title dream is still on course, but nothing less than a win this week will do.

"It's natural to be looking to the ladder and thinking that we're disadvantaged because we're sitting third at the moment," he said.

"But there are nine points to play for and I believe that if we can get those nine points then we will finish top of the ladder."

Okon also believes the fixture scheduling could aid Gold Coast at the death.

"In the last match of the season Melbourne have to go to Sydney, so either one of them, or both of them, will drop points in that game," he added.

"They both (Sydney and Melbourne) did well to win their games over the weekend and now it's all about our match against Melbourne this Friday night.

"It's going to be very close and very exciting for the fans that the season is going down to the wire."