Adele & Casting Crowns: Duking It Out For No. 1 on Billboard 200

As we reported on Wednesday, Christian band Casting Crowns could be on its way to its first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 next week with "Come to the Well." However, a certain British songbird named Adele is putting up quite the fight for the top slot.

While industry prognosticators have suggested that "Come to the Well" could sell upwards of 110,000 copies by week's end on Sunday, Oct. 23, so too, could Adele's "21" album. This past week, "21" sold 111,000 and all signs point to the set staying steady around that number next week.

On SoundScan's Building chart below -- a precursor to the final Billboard 200 ranking -- reflecting the first four days (Monday through Thursday) of SoundScan's tracking week (which ends Sunday) as reported by six major merchants, Adele's "21" is at No. 1, while Casting Crowns is found at No. 3.

So, how is "Come to the Well" at No. 3 on the Building Chart even though its in the running for No. 1? The Building Chart doesn't reflect sales from the Christian retail marketplace -- where the bulk of "Come's" sales are generated. Unless something really crazy over the weekend happens, we should see Casting Crowns at either Nos. 1 or 2 on the final Billboard 200 chart next week.

"American Idol" winner Scott McCreery and his "Clear As Day" debut is at No. 2 on the Building chart, with Joe's new "The Good, the Bad, the Sexy" holding down the No. 4 slot. Evanescence's self-titled set -- this past week's Billboard 200 No. 1 -- is at No. 5.

At Nos. 6-8 we have Lady Antebellum's "Own the Night," Tony Bennett's "Duets II" and Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter IV." Right after that at No. 9 is what might be the third-highest debut next week, Jane's Addiction's new "The Great Escape Artist." Rounding out the Building Chart's top 10 is Lauren Alaina's "Wildflower" at the No. 10 slot.

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