Boyzone believe they don't stand much of a chance in the charts against One Direction.

The two acts are releasing new albums on the same day - November 25 - in the UK.

The Irish group are unleashing 'BZ20' whilst the 'Kiss You' lads will unveil their third record 'Midnight Memories'.

Minds will instantly flock towards a boyband chart battle, but Boyzone's Shane Lynch conceded that One Direction will most likely have the upper hand. He said:

"I don't think any fanbase in the world can give One Direction a run for their money. I think if you put a load of fanbases together they still couldn't do that. The boys are a phenomenon and they're taking it back to the early Boyzone, Take That and East 17 days. It's a wonderful time for pop. Good luck to the boys and no doubt they will have the number one album!"

Speaking meanwhile about how similar Boyzone's fanbase was back in the day compared to One Direction's, Lynch added:

"I think fan encounters back in the day were more innocent than they are now. I've heard stories of the One Direction boys having their rooms broken into and having their clothes stolen. We didn't really have that. Maybe for us guys we were a little more relaxed and gladly spoke to our fans and would gladly give them a t-shirt, a jumper or a pair of jocks if they asked for them. Fan encounters were always quite civilised for us in many ways and continue to be. They're all older ladies and gentlemen now and thankfully we can sit in the bar with a glass of wine and have a chat."