The Cowboys breathed life into their season with a deserved win over Wests Tigers on Sunday.
Now they return home to face a Canterbury side that has allowed 174 points in five matches and is the only side in the NRL without a win.
After failing to score in their previous three matches, the Bulldogs managed three tries in last weekend's loss to the Storm.
If they can start strongly in Townsville, confidence could grow and a first win of 2021 could follow.
The Cowboys, on the other hand, will be determined to keep the doubts Canterbury players must be feeling bubbling away for another week.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
The rundown
Team news
Cowboys: Jason Taumalolo (hand) is ruled out once more after suffering a new fractured hand at training, on the opposite hand to the one that he injured in March.
Lachlan Burr will start at lock and Mitch Dunn joining the interchange. Esan Marsters also dropped out of the squad on Saturday.
Jake Clifford is the 18th man.
Justin O'Neill (head knock) is set to make his return from injury in the centres in place of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (ankle). Connolly Lemuelu has been named despite being under a cloud with a shoulder complaint.
The Cowboys have won seven of their past nine games against the Bulldogs.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Bulldogs: In a late change, Renouf Atoni will start at prop with Dylan Napa back to the interchange bench. Aaron Schoupp will be the 18th man.
Skipper Josh Jackson is out after suffering a torn calf at training, with English forward Luke Thompson replacing him at lock.
Chris Smith has moved from the reserves to the interchange.
Brandon Wakeham, Dean Britt and Joe Stimson dropped off the initial reserves list on Saturday, with Schoupp the new addition.
Playmaker Lachlan Lewis (head knock) was a chance of returning this week but will have to wait until at least next round.
The Bulldogs have not won in Queensland since May 2019.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Key match-up
Jason Taumalolo v Luke Thompson: Taumalolo's expected return from a broken hand will see he and Thompson battle for supremacy in the middle third of the field. Thompson - who played his first match of 2021 last weekend - made a notable difference to the Canterbury pack when he was on the field against Melbourne.
Stat attack
Canterbury have scored 34 points in five matches, the fewest since Western Suburbs scored the same number of points in the opening five weeks of 1999.
Head to NRL Pick'Em and get pickin’ to win a share of $100,000 cash every week!
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com