Paul McCartney's 'Egypt Station' Set for No. 1 Debut on Billboard 200 Chart

Paul McCartney is aiming for his first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart in 36 years, as industry forecasters expect his latest effort, Egypt Station, could enter atop next week’s list.

The new album, which was released on Sept. 7 via MPL/Capitol Records, could earn around 140,000 equivalent album units in the week ending Sept. 13.

If Egypt Station arrives at No. 1, it would mark McCartney’s first debut at No. 1 ever, and his first No. 1 since Tug of War spent three weeks atop the list in 1982 (May 29 through June 12-dated charts).

Earlier in the week, industry prognosticators suggested that Egypt had a shot at No. 1 with perhaps over 115,000 units earned, though, at the time, it appeared Eminem's Kamikaze was likely to hold atop the list for a second week, with around 120,000 units. Both albums are on track to surpass those initial forecasts.

The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week based on multi-metric consumption, which includes traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). The top 10 of the Sept. 22-dated Billboard 200 chart (where Egypt Station may bow at No. 1) is scheduled to be revealed on Billboard’s websites on Sunday, Sept. 16.

The likely No. 2 set on next week’s Billboard 200 will be Kamikaze, which could slide from No. 1 into the runner up slot in its second week, with perhaps 125,000 units. It bowed atop the list with 434,000 units in its first week, according to Nielsen Music.

Other albums heading for likely top 10 debuts on next week’s chart include Lauren Daigle’s Look Up Child and Russ’ ZOO. Meanwhile, Mac Miller’s recent release, Swimming, may return to the top 10, following his death on Sept. 7. The set debuted at No. 3 on the list dated Aug. 18.