Noel Gallagher beating Matt Cardle in chart battle

Noel Gallagher looks set to beat Matt Cardle to the top of the UK album chart this weekend.

According to the official midweek chart the ex-Oasis man's debut solo album is outselling the X Factor winner's effort by almost two copies to one.

Gallagher recently revealed he turned down an invitation from Simon Cowell to be a judge on the ITV1 series.

Speaking to Newsbeat recently Matt Cardle said he wasn't worried about where his singles or albums charted.

Noel 'would have joined Kasabian'

The 28-year-old said: "I just want to do the best I can. I know that's a cop out to say but I've always been dreaming big and wanting to achieve the best I can.

"I want the album to do really well and I want everyone to come to the tour next year. And I want to make another album next year and that to do really well."

The album, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, is leading the race for top spot with Cardle's debut effort, Letters, second and Steps' Ultimate Collection knocked down to third.

There looks set to be a shake-up in the singles chart.

Boy band The Wanted are on course to score their third number one of the year with new single Lightning.

Kelly Clarkson's Mr Know It All and Lana Del Rey's Video Games are also expected to be high new entries in the top 10.