News: One Direction, the Weeknd & 'Twilight' Albums Aiming High on Billboard 200

As earlier reported, One Direction is a near lock for a No. 1 debut on the Billboard 200 albums chart next week. Industry forecasters say the group's second album, "Take Me Home" (SYCO/Columbia), should start with between 525,000 to 575,000 sold by week's end on Sunday, Nov. 19. No other album will come close to selling that many copies this week, so One Direction's path to No. 1 is clear.

One Direction Looking to Take Home No. 1 with Half-Million Debut

The new Billboard 200 chart's top 10 will be revealed on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 21.

Elsewhere on next week's chart, watch for the Weeknd's debut album, "Trilogy," to launch with 90,000 or so while the "Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2" soundtrack may bow with 80,000. Both sets should easily start in the top 10. Also headed for a big entry is Soundgarden's first studio release in 16 years, "King Animal." The album is looking to debut with around 80,000 as well.

Pop diva Christina Aguilera is poised for a top 10 return, as her new "Lotus" will likely bloom with around 75,000. It's her first studio album since 2010's "Bionic" arrived in the No. 3 slot with 111,000 sold (according to Nielsen SoundScan).

 One of 2012's biggest new stars, Lana Del Rey, could also start in the top 10 with her latest effort, "Paradise." Sources indicate it's also on track to sell around 75,000. "Paradise" is available as a stand-alone album and also as part of a deluxe reissue of her first full-length set, "Born to Die." The latter album debuted and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 earlier this year, moving 77,000 in its first week.

On Nielsen SoundScan's Building chart (below), One Direction is No. 1 while the Weeknd is No. 2. The Building tally is a precursor to the final Billboard 200 ranking -- reflecting the first four days (Monday through Thursday) of SoundScan's tracking week as reported by six major merchants.
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