Chart predictions: August 2

OVERSEAS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

US charts provider Billboard has encountered a slight hiccup as a technical malfunction has delayed the release of its August 12-dated charts.

With Tyler, The Creator, Meek Mill and Lana Del Rey all vying closely for #1 on next week’s Billboard 200 Albums chart, the company has decided to push back the scheduled release until further notice.

Arcade Fire have come out ahead in the UK as red-hot favourites to steal the Albums Chart from the clutches of Ed Sheeran’s ÷. It will be the Canadian act’s third #1 on the chart after 2010’s The Suburbs and 2013’s Reflektor.

Elsewhere, the ‘Despacito (Remix)’ has etchedits name in the record books this week. It is now only one of five tracks to have reigned at #1 on three separate occasions on the Official Singles Chart, having just notched a tenth non-consecutive week at#1.

THE HOME FRONT

Although it may appear that the Ed Sheeran fanfare has all but subsided in recent weeks, the Englishman is set to hit back, according to early data.

Losing his #1 position on the ARIA Albums Chart to Lana Del Rey’s Lust For Life and dropping down to #3, it looks likely that ÷will re-enter the Top 2 this week.

Competing with Sheeran for the coveted top spot will be debut entrants Judah Smith (Count On Me), Alice Cooper (Paranormal), Dan Sultan (Killer) and the Carole King tribute album,Beautiful.

All of Sheeran’s singles are steadily sliding down the TMN Hot 100. After owning #1 for weeks on end with ‘Castle On The Hill’ and ‘Shape Of You’, the two singles now sit at #45 and #47 on the chart.

On to the Singles Chart, it’s the movers that are set to steal the headlines next week. Enteringits fourth week in the chart, Kesha’s comeback single ‘Praying’ will most certainly crack the Top 5 from #16, presumably at the expense of Imagine Dragons’ ‘Thunder’.

Meanwhile, Vance Joy’s appearance on TMN’s radio charts has not translated to sales success. ‘Lay It On Me’ will find its place in the 20s on next week’s ARIA Singles Chart, despite landing a Top 10 spot on the Hot 100 and dominating TMN’s Australian and Alternative charts.

CRYSTAL BALL PREDICTIONS

TOP PICK:Ed Sheeran to bounce back and reclaim #1 on the ARIA Albums Chart, making it 18 non-consecutive weeks at the top.

DARK HORSE:Going from strength to strength in recent weeks, Kesha’s ’Praying’ to land in the Top 3 on the ARIA Singles Chart.