The new Championship season has kicked off. Here's how reporters who cover the clubs in the second tier see the season playing out...
Birmingham City
Reporter: Brian Dick, BirminghamLive
Promoted (top two): Leicester City, Middlesbrough
The Foxes are signing recent internationals. They have a modern manager, Enzo Maresca, from Pep Guardiola’s coaching tree and I sense a determination to put things right. Boro and Michael Carrick probably shouldn’t finish top two but the ex-midfielder is a rising star in the coaching world. He’s going to get to the Premier League somehow – maybe this year with Boro.
Playoffs (and winner): Southampton, Leeds United, Norwich City and Watford. Very difficult to pick the outcome of five close matches but the Canaries to come through with David Wagner's know-how.
Relegation: Rotherham United, Cardiff City and QPR
Surprise package: Plymouth Argyle. Goals will be an issue but Home Park is a fortress many will find hard to breach.
How would you assess your team's chances? Blues are buoyed by a takeover and the soon-to-be completely reopened St Andrew’s. The feel-good factor is tangible. They have made some very astute signings, bringing back Krystian Bielik and Dion Sanderson from last year’s team on a permanent basis. Indeed at the time of writing, they are yet to sign a loan player and have completed nine full transfers. They’ve spent cash on Siriki Dembele and Ethan Laird and picked up smart freebies Keshi Anderson and Koji Miyoshi.
I don’t expect them to race up the league – but I don’t expect them to struggle like they have in recent seasons either.
Your team's prediction: Heart says eighth, head says 15th, I’ll go in the middle and say 11th.
Blackburn Rovers
Reporter: Elliott Jackson, LancsLive
Promoted (top two): Leicester City, Middlesbrough
Playoffs (and winner): Southampton (winner), Leeds United, Sunderland, Coventry City
Relegation: Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham United, QPR
Surprise package: Bristol City
How would you assess your team's chances? Off-the-field issues are a worry and could undermine the progress made last season under Jon Dahl Tomasson. The squad is thin and over-reliant on academy talent. Rovers need three or four more signings and, most importantly, a number nine. Tomasson’s future feels uncertain with the backdrop of the ownership complications which adds further question marks.
Your team's prediction: 14th
Bristol City
Reporter: James Piercy, BristolLive
Promoted (top two): Leicester, Middlesbrough
Playoffs (and winner): Leeds United, Coventry City (winner), Swansea City, Bristol City
Relegation: Rotherham, QPR, Cardiff City
Surprise package: Plymouth Argyle
How would you assess your team's chances? The Robins have addressed some of the failings which eternally held them back last season with greater defensive depth added and some extra energy in midfield in the form of Jason Knight. How successful City's window is will probably be determined by what happens to Alex Scott, with that particular situation likely to run until September 1.
Given Nigel Pearson has indicated the transfer money won't be immediately reinvested back into the squad, due to wage bill concerns, the destiny of the Championship Young Player of the Year has an increasing bearing on what City are capable of as he's an elite talent and increasing gamechanger. That being said, they have plenty of goals in attack, look out for Tommy Conway especially, creativity down the flanks, and providing we see Rob Dickie Version 2020/22, not 2022/23, the defence should improve. The quality is there, the key will be consistency.
Your team's prediction: Sixth (if Scott stays). Although there won't be a great deal separating that position and mid-table, so could well hinge on a few results/a positive run towards the end of the season.
Cardiff City
Reporter: Glen Williams, WalesOnline
Promoted (top two): Leicester City, Leeds United
Playoffs (and winner): Stoke City (winner), Southampton, Norwich City, West Brom.
Relegation: Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham United, Huddersfield Town
Surprise package: Birmingham City
How would you assess your team's chances? It's a stronger squad than last season and the addition of Aaron Ramsey is clearly a quality signing, Erol Bulut has clearly identified the top of the pitch as an area which needs improvement and he has sought to address that. It still needs a striker, a centre-back and a central midfielder, but it's largely positive so far, particularly after two years of fighting against relegation.
Your team's prediction: 13th
Coventry City
Reporter: Andy Turner, Coventry Telegraph/CoventryLive
Promoted (top two): Leicester City, Southampton
Playoffs (and winner): Leeds United (winner), Middlesbrough, Millwall, West Brom
Relegation: QPR, Birmingham City, Plymouth Argyle
Surprise package: Ipswich Town
How would you assess your team’s chances? At the time of writing Coventry are still very much a work in progress in terms of their recruitment. The pre-season has proved really slow-going and frustrating in terms of signing new players who have arrived relatively late in dribs and drabs, making the club’s preparation for the start of the season less than ideal.
There’s been a huge turnover with 12 having left so far and eight signed (as of Aug 1) and it’s probably going to take the Sky Blues time to get going again this season. However, the club have had significant funds for the first time in years to buy players and have made some exciting signings, not least Ellis Simms from Everton (£3.5m and rising) and Dutch Under-21 wing-back Milan van Ewijk from SC Heerenveen (£3.4m). The loss of 22 goal striker Viktor Gyokeres was an inevitable blow and Simms has big boots to fill, while the very real threat of losing star midfielder Gustavo Hamer hangs over the club.
Your team’s prediction: Given that Mark Robins has undertaken a significant squad rebuild this summer, a transitional season of consolidation would appear to be on the horizon. It all depends on how quickly the new players can gel but City have undoubtedly upped the level of quality in the team and should be competing in the top half of the table and pushing for the play-offs.
Predicted finish: 9th
Huddersfield Town
Reporter: Dom Howson, YorkshireLive
Promoted (top two): Leicester City, Leeds United
Playoffs (and winner): Southampton, Middlesbrough (winner), Norwich City, Sunderland
Relegation: Rotherham United, QPR, Cardiff City
Surprise package: Swansea City
How would you assess your team's chances? A tough one to call. Town finished last season strongly under Neil Warnock, winning seven of their last 15 matches to preserve their Championship status with a match to spare. Warnock agreed to stay on for another year but Town have so far brought in just two players. Chris Maxwell has joined to add more experience and competition in the goalkeeping department while right-back Tom Edwards has arrived on a season-long loan from Stoke City.
Defensively Town have a solid base with Lee Nicholls in goal and experienced centre-backs in Tom Lees, Michal Helik and Matty Pearson but the big question is where are the goals going to come from on a regular basis? Pearson was their joint top-scorer last time around with five goals.
Your team's prediction: 16th
Hull City
Reporter: Barry Cooper, HullLive/Hull Daily Mail
Promoted (top two): Leicester City, Southampton
Playoffs (and winner): Middlesbrough (winner), Ipswich Town, Watford, Sunderland
Relegation: Rotherham United, Sheffield Wednesday, QPR
Surprise package: Ipswich Town or possibly Bristol City
How would you assess your team's chances? City were tough to beat after Liam Rosenior arrived in November last year, losing just six times in 28 games. Rosenior's biggest problem - and it was one heavily impacted by injuries - was the lack of cutting edge, and in truth, that remains the big worry based on the seven games we've seen in pre-season. They'll be tough to beat, won't lose many but it remains to be seen if there's enough creativity and firepower in the squad to avoid a frustrating amount of draws.
If Rosenior's side can be knocking on the door of the top half at the turn of the year and on the coattails of the play-off pack, and if they can find that ruthless edge then there's a chance they could challenge for the top six - admittedly, two bigs ifs. So much across the league, however, remains firmly up in the air given the likely ins and outs before the transfer window closes. City are no different.
Your team's prediction: 10th
Ipswich Town
Reporter: Stuart Watson, East Anglian Daily Times
Promoted (top two): Leicester City and Middlesbrough
Playoffs (and winner): Leeds United (winner), Coventry City, Southampton, Swansea City
Relegation: Rotherham United, Cardiff City, QPR
Surprise package: Bristol City
How would you assess your team's chances? The transfer business has been solid if not spectacular so far. It's been mainly about keeping together the group that got promoted with juggernaut-like momentum. Highly-rated young boss Kieran McKenna and League One Golden Boot winner Conor Chaplin have signed new contracts, while striker George Hirst has seen his loan from Leicester turned permanent.
Midfielder Jack Taylor (Peterborough, £1.5m) and Omari Hutchinson (Chelsea, loan) have been added on top. Will that be enough for Ipswich, as many are predicting, to be in the mix for back-to-back promotions? Time will tell. There's certainly a major feelgood factor surrounding the Ed Sheeran-sponsored club, as shown by the sale of 21,000 season tickets. With big financial backing from ambitious US owners, chief executive Mark Ashton has promised 'at least two or three more' signings before the window shuts.
Your team's prediction: 8th. A season to feel their way into the Championship before becoming real promotion contenders in 2024/25
Leeds United
Reporter: Will Jackson, LeedsLive
Promoted (top two): Leicester City, Leeds United
Playoffs (and winner): Middlesbrough (winner), Southampton, Norwich City, Watford
Relegation: Rotherham United, Plymouth Argyle, Huddersfield Town
Surprise package: Stoke City
How would you assess your team's chances? Leeds still have plenty of work to do in the transfer market. They’ve lost a host of key names this summer and at the time of writing, Ethan Ampadu and Karl Darlow represent their only new recruits, but if they can bag the signings required over the next month, I firmly believe that they’ll have a strong shot at promotion.
Daniel Farke has plenty of experience at this level, he knows what’s required and given the tools for the job, he’ll be confident of leading the Whites back to the promised land.
Your team's prediction: 2nd
Leicester City
Reporter: Jordan Blackwell, LeicestershireLive/Leicester Mercury
Promoted (top two): Middlesbrough, Southampton
Playoffs (and winner): Ipswich Town, Leicester City (winner), Sunderland, West Brom
Relegation: QPR, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham United
Surprise package: Ipswich Town
How would you assess your team's chances/transfer work? Leicester may be title favourites but the sheer amount of change at the club over this summer, and the couple of holes they have in their squad going into the season could mean they fall short of automatic promotion. New boss Enzo Maresca's ideas are coming through, while the signings have been good – particularly Conor Coady and Harry Winks – but I think they will make a slow start before improving to finish in the play-offs.
Your team's prediction: 4th and play-off winners
Middlesbrough
Reporter: Craig Johns, Gazette/Teesside Live
Promoted (top two): Leicester City, Leeds United
Playoffs (and winner): Middlesbrough (winner), Coventry City, Norwich City, Millwall
Relegation: Cardiff City, Sheffield Wednesday, QPR
Surprise package: Plymouth Argyle
How would you assess your team's chances? After such a good run under Michael Carrick last season that saw them challenging for automatic promotion at one stage before finishing in a play-off position, Boro are looking to build on those solid foundations and go one better this time.
As with most Championship clubs, finances mean they struggle to compete with the recently-relegated sides in terms of the money they're able to spend on signings and they're therefore having to box clever this summer. They have seven new signings heading into the first game of the season, but that has largely been centred around young signings who have their better years ahead of them.
They go in with star man Chuba Akpom injured, and with uncertainty over his future too. But if they can keep Akpom and add two more quality signings in the key positions they're yet to strengthen, Boro should have enough to once again push for a top-two finish. I ultimately suspect they'll come up just short again, but this time win the play-offs.
Your team's prediction: Finish somewhere in the top-six and win the play-offs.
Millwall
Reporter: Richard Cawley, South London Press
Promoted (top two): Leeds United, Southampton
Playoffs (and winner): Leicester City (winner), Coventry City, Ipswich Town, Middlesbrough
Relegation: Blackburn Rovers, Rotherham United, QPR
Surprise package: Ipswich Town, although their spending power doesn't make them that much of a dark horse
How would you assess your team's chances? Millwall have been in the play-off conversation since Gary Rowett came in and there's absolutely no reason not to see them do so again - particularly after adding Kevin Nisbet to their striking options. Joe Bryan is a quality free agent pick up after leaving Fulham while midfielder Casper de Norre will need time to adjust after arriving from OH Leuven.
Your team's prediction: Confident of a top-10 finish for a third successive year.
Norwich City
Reporter: Paddy Davitt, Pinkun
Promoted (top two): Leicester City, West Brom
Playoffs (and winner): Southampton (winner), Leeds United, Middlesbrough, Norwich City
Relegation: QPR, Cardiff City, Sheffield Wednesday
Surprise package: Plymouth Argyle
How would you assess your team's chances? Norwich have gone for experience primarily in their transfer business with Ashley Barnes, Shane Duffy and Swiss international Christian Fassnacht. The feeling inside the club is they had a good core of young players but needed to address, in the words of head coach David Wagner, the ‘mentality’ issue that saw them tail off and finish 13th. Unbeaten in pre-season, not conceded many goals either, and if they get a solid start under their belts you would expect them to be good enough to improve on that mid-table placing last season.
Your team's prediction: 6th
Plymouth Argyle
Reporter: Chris Errington, PlymouthLive
Promoted (top two): Leicester City, Middlesbrough
Playoffs (and winner): Leeds United (winner), Coventry City, Southampton, Sunderland
Relegation: Cardiff City, QPR, Rotherham United
Surprise package: Millwall
How would you assess your team's chances/transfer work? Argyle had a big boost to their prospects of staying up this season with the signings of Morgan Whittaker and Bali Mumba for club record-equalling transfer fees of £1m within the space of five days.
The pair were both outstanding for Steven Schumacher's side as they held off determined challenges from Ipswich Town and Sheffield Wednesday to finish top of League One last season with 101 points. Their return on permanent transfers, even though by Championship standards their fees are not that high, is a statement of intent from a club with the ambition to become financially self-sustainable in the second tier of English football. Argyle won 20 of their 23 home league games last season and while that is clearly not going to be repeated at the higher level in 2023/24 they will still fancy their chances in front of packed-out, passionate crowds at the Theatre of Greens.
Your team's prediction: 17th
Preston North End
Reporter: George Hodgson, LancsLive
Promoted (top two): The three clubs coming down look really strong, with new managers at the helm and some big funds surely to be raised through player sales as the transfer window progresses. Leicester and Southampton have quality throughout their squads and I will back those two for the automatic spots, with further additions surely around the corner too.
Playoffs (and winner): It remains to be seen how Leeds' squad shapes up and whether Daniel Farke can inspire more success at the level, but the attacking options at Elland Road are tough to ignore. Leeds have shown what a force they can be in the Championship and you'd fully expect them to be competing at the top once again. After impressive 2022/23 seasons, I will go with Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Coventry to join them. The three clubs all have loan stars to replace and Viktor Gyokeres has left the Sky Blues too, but Mark Robins' men have recruited well on paper so far. Predicting the three relegated sides to go back up is rather dull, so I will back Boro for success at the second time of asking under Carrick. His work there last season was excellent.
Relegation: Tough to call, with the Championship looking as competitive as ever this season. Neil Warnock and Gareth Ainsworth guided Huddersfield Town and QPR to safety last season, but I fear for both of those clubs. Their squads look weaker than most as things stand and they will need their renowned man motivators to work extremely well. Rotherham and Plymouth could well both struggle but Sheffield Wednesday are my final bottom three tip. Xisco Muñoz is a left field choice to replace Darren Moore and the Owls have had a slow summer so far.
Surprise package: I'm not sure Ipswich Town count as a surprise package because they are being heavily backed for success. I expect the Tractor Boys to go well, but I will go for Stoke here. The owners have got behind Alex Neil, who has added 10 new players to his squad.
Having seen and reported on his tenure at Deepdale, the Scot will be pleased with the quality he has been able to bring in. There is real variety to Stoke's recruitment with experienced heads, attacking sparks and some old faces brought in by Neil. He has struggled against defensive set-ups in recent years, so the recruitment of natural wide players and a couple of number nines should aid his cause. He will have absolute confidence in himself to bring all of that together.
How would you assess your team's chances? As things stand you'd expect Preston North End to be around mid-table once again. Manager Ryan Lowe is desperate to push at the top end of the table but expectations have to be harnessed given the strength of the Championship line-up this season. The Lilywhites had a big job on their hands this summer and some of the signings made have been encouraging.
Powerful attacking midfielder Mads Frokjaer-Jensen has been brought in for a seven-figure fee, while full-back Calvin Ramsay has the potential to be another loan success at Deepdale. The club have also taken a punt on young striker Layton Stewart, who has signed permanently from Liverpool. Duane Holmes and Will Keane bring plenty of experience to the table too.
But with Daniel Johnson, Alvaro Fernandez and Tom Cannon all gone from last season, North End had lots of quality to replace and there is some fear over the lack of goal threat within the squad. Recruiting a left wing-back is essential and PNE have hopes of bringing Cannon back this season, but there is competition there. Ben Whiteman - a vital player in midfield - is also entering the final year of his contract and it remains to be seen whether interest emerges.
Lowe is entering his third season as a Championship manager and will need to take everything he has learned up until now, into this season. North End haven't been in relegation trouble since they were promoted in 2015 and that has to remain the case.
Your team's prediction: 16th
QPR
Reporter: David McIntrye, West London Sport
Promoted (top two): Leicester, Middlesbrough
Playoffs (and winner): Bristol City, Leeds United, Sunderland, Ipswich (winner).
Relegation: Rotherham, Huddersfield, Preston
Surprise package: Ipswich
How would you assess your team's chances? Not good. A long, hard season lies ahead. As it stands, and with one or two player exits still likely, this looks the worst QPR squad for decades. Gareth Ainsworth was a great character as a player for the club but as manager has plenty of doubters to win over. FFP is a major problem, yes, but the big question is whether Ainsworth’s style of play can in any way trouble Championship defences. Even the worst sides easily dealt with it last season. Something needs to change.
Your team's prediction: 18th. I haven’t predicted Rangers to go down, purely because there’s a decent chance of some kind of change over the coming months. That might be a change of manager, a change of direction from Ainsworth himself, a change of luck in terms of injuries, forwards like Paul Smyth and Sinclair Armstrong having good seasons and offering some much-needed zest up front - which might well shift the dial - or the sale of one of two players enabling Ainsworth to bring in others who are more suited to his style. But without some kind of change, Rangers will definitely be relegated.
Rotherham United
Reporter: Paul Davis, Rotherham Advertiser
Promoted (top two): Southampton, Middlesbrough
Play-offs (and winner): Leeds United (winner), Leicester City, Stoke City, Watford
Relegation: Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich Town, QPR
Surprise package: Birmingham City
How would you assess your team's chances? Rotherham can take heart from last season's survival feat and look to have a stronger squad than they did in 2022/23. They need key men to stay fit and new boy Cafu to continue the form he's shown in pre-season. Maybe they're a little light in attack but they're looking to address that before the close of the transfer window. Having arguably the best goalkeeper in the division in Viktor Johansson does them no harm.
Your team's prediction: 17th
Sheffield Wednesday
Reporter: Ricky Charlesworth, YorkshireLive
Promoted (top two): Leicester City, Middlesbrough
Playoffs (and winner): Southampton, West Brom, Norwich City (winners), Birmingham City
Relegation: Rotherham United, Plymouth Argyle, Bristol City
Surprise package: Birmingham City
How would you assess your team's chances? After a slow start in the transfer market, Wednesday have finally started to flesh out their squad with some left-field signings. Juan Delgado and Pol Valentin are complete unknowns whereas Ashley Fletcher will be looking to kickstart his career on a season-long loan. They still need plenty more incomings but the core of the squad should have enough about it to steer clear of trouble this season.
Your team's prediction: After endless seasons of jeopardy, either in the Championship or League One, I'll take a comfortable mid to lower-placed finish. Give me 18th place and let the season peter out by mid-April.
Southampton
Reporter: Mark Wyatt, HampshireLive
Promoted (top two): Leicester City, Southampton
Playoffs (and winner): Sunderland, Leeds United, Middlesbrough, West Brom
Relegation: Plymouth Argyle, QPR, Rotherham United
Surprise package: Ipswich Town
How would you assess your team's chances? When Saints start selling their big players we'll have a better idea of the squad Russell Martin will have at his disposal for the season, but there should be more than enough quality to be hopeful of a top-six finish as a minimum this season. What will determine how high they can go in the table will be the quality of signings that arrive and how quickly the club can adapt to their new manager's style. If they can get early results on the board whilst they still have some of their Premier League stars in the team during August it will give them a nice platform to build from.
Your team's prediction: 2nd
Stoke City
Reporter: Pete Smith, StokeonTrentLive and The Sentinel
Promoted (top two): Leicester City, Leeds United
Playoffs (and winner): Southampton, Coventry City (winner), Millwall, Stoke City
Relegation: Rotherham United, Plymouth Argyle, Sheffield Wednesday
Surprise package: Bristol City
How would you assess your team's chances? Revolution. Only four or five starters from last season are expected to feature much around the first team this term and everything else is new, behind the scenes too.
Big holes have been filled on paper with a senior keeper, defensive midfielder and wingers, which Stoke have lacked for far too long. There's been an emphasis on pace and a dabble into overseas markets for the first time in five years or more. There's a mix of ages and experience, familiar names and exotic gambles.
It remains to be seen who flops, who flies and how everything balances out but at least there is excitement that something different could happen after five seasons stuck in the wrong half of the Championship.
Your team's prediction: Basically, who knows? There will still be as many new signings to come in as a lot of clubs will sign in a whole summer.
In a division as tight as this, the wild card foreign signings might be the differential. If there's a solid spine and Ryan Mmaee and Andre Vidigal or loan boy Chiquinho can find their feet, it won't take much to get everyone dreaming. Equally, momentum can be a devil, there is a lot being thrown together all at once and there is a hell of a lot to prove.
It could end up anywhere from third to 21st. The real target will be to stay around the top half knowing that a good run at the right time can make anything possible.
Sunderland
Reporter: James Hunter, ChronicleLive
Promoted (top two): Leicester City, Southampton
Playoffs (and winner): Leeds United, Middlesbrough, Norwich City (winner), Sunderland
Relegation: Rotherham United, QPR, Huddersfield Town
Surprise package: Plymouth Argyle
How would you assess your team's chances? Sunderland exceeded expectations last season by finishing sixth and qualifying for the play-offs in their first season back in the Championship, and it will not be easy to improve on that this time around.
The division looks more competitive this year with three strong teams coming down from the Premier League, while this time around the bar will be raised for Sunderland on the back of their showing last season.
That said, they were hampered last season by injuries which left them short in key areas, and they have addressed that by bringing in a couple of new centre-backs, a couple of strikers - with another expected to follow - and Bradley Dack and Jobe Bellingham. There is still work to do before the transfer window closes, but the signings so far have looked pretty good. I think they will be in the mix for the play-offs again.
Your team's prediction: Anywhere between ninth and fifth
Swansea City
Reporter: Tom Coleman, WalesOnline
Promoted (top two): Leicester City, Leeds United
Playoffs (and winner): Middlesbrough (winner), Coventry City, Norwich City, Sunderland
Relegation: QPR, Plymouth Argyle, Rotherham United
Surprise package: Swansea City
How would you assess your team's chances? All will depend on whether Joel Piroe is still a Swansea player by the close of the window. As things stand, he seems likely to stay, and that would be a huge boost given he's arguably the best striker in league right now. Carl Rushworth, Josh Key and Joel Yates all look decent acquisitions, but I do still worry about the overall depth of this squad.
Your team's prediction: At full strength, I think this team can go far, but the lack of depth means they'll probably fall short of the top 6. I'll go for ninth.
Watford
Reporter: Andrew French, Watford Observer
Promoted (top two): Leicester City, Middlesbrough
Playoffs (and winner): Leeds United (winner), Southampton, Coventry City, Sunderland
Relegation: Rotherham United, Sheffield Wednesday, QPR
Surprise package: Ipswich Town
How would you assess your team's chances? Watford have brought in £50m from selling Joao Pedro and Ismaila Sarr alone, and so far spent £50,000. That’s no surprise given the club has said it intends to be debt-free by the end of the season. More than 20 players have either been sold or not retained, a much-needed clear-out but upheaval, nonetheless. New head coach Valerien Ismael has a distinct style of play, and the last two seasons have been so lamentable that most fans would just like to see a clear way of playing from a team that actually appears to care.
Your team's prediction: 10th
West Brom
Reporter: Joe Chapman, West Brom/BirminghamLive
Promoted (top two): Leicester City and Southampton
Playoffs (and winner): Leeds United
Relegation: QPR, Plymouth Argyle, Rotherham United
Surprise package: Ipswich Town
How would you assess your team's chances? It's the first year for West Brom without parachute payment money for 20 years, and that's been reflected in their transfer window so far. They've borrowed Jeremy Sarmiento from Brighton but have sold Dara O'Shea to Burnley and loaned Karlan Grant to Cardiff.
More departures are expected before deadline day. Carlos Corberan did a generally brilliant job last year to lead Albion from bottom of the league and into play-off contention all the way through to the end of the season, but this Championship looks more difficult on paper and much will depend on how the squad looks on the morning of September 2. For me, as things stand, I think they may find themselves in a similar position to last season.
Your team's prediction: 8th
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