One Direction believe their chart battle with Justin Bieber will be "good for pop culture".
The four-piece boyband featuring Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne and Niall Horan will release their fifth studio album 'Made In The A.M.' on November 13, which is the same day as Justin's fourth record 'Purpose', but teased it will be a "good little battle" to see whose album does best.
Niall said: "It's gonna be a good little battle. It's good for pop culture."
The Canadian singer, 21, previously joked about the album release dates clashing on Snapchat when he suggested they should be worried about being beaten to the top of the charts.
With a terrified expression, he said: "The face you make when you come out with an album the same day as Justin Bieber."
But Louis later posted his own subtle Snapchat message as a comeback, shortly before taking to the stage at London's The O2 where they played a string of six shows.
In the Snapchat, he made the same face and said: "That face you pull when you're playing the last night at The O2."
The 23-year-old star insisted it was all in jest though and they're not taking it seriously.
Louis told Clyde 1 Radio: "We mocked him back. It's all just a bit of a laugh and a joke.
"Let's have it."
Meanwhile Justin previously said he thinks the band decided to release the record on the same day as his because they need extra publicity.
He said: "They're not really going on the road much, but we're talking about them right now, so it gives them some promo, right?
"So, that's probably why they did it ... I think it was strategy on their part because my release date was first.
"But whatever. It's whatever. It's going to be fun. I'm excited to see what happens."
