Ciara Aiming for No. 2 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart Next Week

After Ciara’s last album missed the top 40 on the Billboard 200 chart, the R&B/pop singer is making a comeback with her new self-titled set. Industry sources forecast that her new album — released on Tuesday, July 9 — should debut at No. 2 on next week’s Billboard 200. The title might sell around 55,000 to 60,000 copies by the end of the tracking week on Sunday, July 14.

Ciara’s last release, 2010’s “Basic Instinct,” came out on Dec. 14 of that year and debuted and peaked at No. 44 on the Billboard 200. It sold just 37,000 copies in its first week (according to Nielsen SoundScan) — at the height of the busy Christmas shopping season.

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Her new album is supported by her current hit single “Body Party,” which jumps 34-25 on this week’s Billboard Hot 100 chart. It’s her first top 40 hit on the Hot 100 since May of 2009, when her No. 10-peaking “Love Sex Magic” (featuring Justin Timberlake), spent its last week in the top 40.

Her last album, “Basic Instinct,” only generated one Hot 100 hit: “Ride,” featuring Ludacris, which reached No. 42. Her new album has already so far spawned two entries: “Body Party” and her new single, “I’m Out,” featuring Nicki Minaj, which debuted at No. 50 this week.

Ciara’s new album could mark her fourth top 10 effort on the Billboard 200, following her first three albums: “Goodies” (No. 3 in 2004), “Ciara: The Evolution” (No. 1 in 2006) and “Fantasy Ride” (No. 3 in 2009).

As for next week’s No. 1, Jay-Z’s “Magna Carta Holy Grail” should easily take the crown. Sources project the album to sell around 475,000 to 500,000 copies.

“Magna Carta” could earn the second-largest sales week of 2013, following the debut of Justin Timberlake’s “The 20/20 Experience,” which bowed with 968,000. “Magna Carta” should also tally the best week for a rap album since Drake’s “Take Care” opened with 631,000 at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 dated Dec. 3, 2011.

On SoundScan’s Building chart (below), Jay-Z is No. 1, followed by Ciara. 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. J. Cole’s current Billboard 200 No. 1, “Born Sinner,” is No. 3, while Kanye West’s “Yeezus” is No. 4.

As for the rest of the top 10: Skylar Grey’s debut album “Don’t Look Down” is No. 5 — but may not bow in next week’s official Billboard 200 in the top 10. It might sell around 18,000 copies. Florida Georgia Line’s “Here’s To the Good Times” is No. 6, Imagine Dragons’ “Night Visions” is No. 7 and Wale’s “The Gifted” is No. 8. Rounding out the top 10, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “The Heist” is No. 9 and Daft Punk’s “Random Access Memories” is No. 10.