One Direction are still in the lead to land this year's Christmas No.1 album.

As previously reported, the Official Charts Company confirmed on Wednesday (December 18) that the band's new effort 'Midnight Memories' is in pole position to top the UK charts this weekend.

However, they have today (December 20) revealed that there are only 2,700 copies between the record and its nearest rival, Robbie Williams' 'Swings Both Ways'.

If One Direction do indeed land the No.1 at the weekend, it will be third non-consecutive week the album has enjoyed since its November 25 release.

The record topped charts in almost one hundred countries across the globe when it was unleashed, further accentuating One Direction's worldwide dominance.

The group meanwhile performed their new album's title track last night (December 19) on the US X Factor - check it out below.