Will Bruce Springsteen”s “Wrecking Ball” have the momentum to knock Adele”s “21” out of the top spot on the Billboard 200? With a few days left until the charts close on Sunday night, it”s too early to tell marking the first time in several weeks that “21” has had a true challenger.
They both are on track to sell between 210,000 and 220,000, according to Hits Daily Double. That mean “Wrecking Ball” should come in almost exactly with the same numbers as Springsteen”s last studio set, 2009″s “Working On a Dream,” which debuted at No. 1 and sold 224,000 copies.
The only other title likely to debut in the Top 10 is “Spring Break 4…Suntan City,” the fourth in a series of “Spring Break” EPs from country singer Luke Bryan. The 15-minute set will likely enter at No. 8.
Set for No. 3 is “Now That”s What I Call Music 41,” which is No. 4 this week. Two Whitney Houston albums are likely to remain in the top 10 following her Feb. 11 death: “Greatest Hits” sells around 85,000 copies for a slot at No. 4, while “The Bodyguard” soundtrack may sell enough to land the No. 10 spot, although it is in a tie with Drake”s “Take Care.” Both are slated to sell between 21,000 and 24,000.
Lady Antebellum”s “Own The Night” storms back into the top 10, possibly leaping 16-5, due to a promotion at Google Play and Amazon MP3 that offers several titles for 25 cents. Billboard changed its rules so that no album that sells for less than $3.49 is eligible on the charts; however that rule is only in effect for the first four weeks of a title”s release. Similarly, Lil Wayne”s “Tha Carter IV” could rocket 37-6 as part of the same promotion.
Rounding out the rest of the Top 10 will likely be Adele”s “19” at No. 7 and Tyga”s “Careless World: Rise of the Last King” at No. 9.
Follow Melinda Newman on Twitter @HitfixMelinda