It's touch-and-go as to whether or not Jennifer Lopez's new album AKA will reach the Top 40 in the UK this weekend, and reportedly things aren't looking much better in the US.
Despite being a hugely prolific star, her new record is reportedly tracking towards a first-week sales total of between 30 and 40,000 copies; less than half the 83,000 managed by her last album LOVE? in its first week back in 2011.
By comparison, British breakout star Sam Smith is expected to shift up to 170,000 copies of In The Lonely Hour, after topping the UK charts last month.
AKA is struggling (Packshot)
Lopez's promotional campaign has been strong, with several high-profile appearances and performances. She also showed up at the World Cup Opening Ceremony in Brazil to perform alongside Pitbull.
AKA has struggled to yield any hit singles so far, with lead cut 'First Love' making it as far as No101 in the US and No63 in the UK. Predecessor 'I Luh Ya Papi' peaked at No77 on the Billboard Hot 100.
By comparison, Love? - which itself was considered to have sold disappointingly at the time - spawned the global smash hit 'On The Floor', which went 3x Platinum in the US and Platinum in the UK.
Lopez has generally had mixed success in the albums market throughout her career. Her 2007 set Brave stalled at No12 (opening to 53,000 sales), but her sophomore release, J.Lo, hit No1 and sold 12 million copies worldwide.
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