BRITNEY SPEARS - SPEARS AND HOUSTON SET FOR CHART FACE-OFF?

BRITNEY SPEARS is set to go head-to-head with WHITNEY HOUSTON in a chart battle later this year (08) - when both stars release their forthcoming albums in the run-up to Christmas.
Houston has reportedly been working on her seventh studio album since 2003, and has even called on R+B star John Legend and producer/rapper Will.I.Am to help her comeback record climb to the top of the charts.
But the 44-year-old's chance at a dazzling return may be thwarted by the Toxic hitmaker, who is also set to release a new album this December (08).
According to reports, bosses at 26-year-old Spears' record label are so impressed with her new demo tracks, they want her to rush out a finished LP this winter.
A label source tells Britain's The Sun newspaper, "Britney has been on fire in the studio of late¡­ she is determined to make a triumphant comeback."
Both singers have been surrounded by controversy in recent years, with Houston battling drug addiction and going through messy divorce with singer Bobby Brown, and Spears visiting rehab and fighting a bitter custody battle with ex-husband Kevin Federline.