U.K. MIDWEEKS: ED VS. EMINEM FOR CHRISTMAS #1

Ed Sheeran and Eminem are battling it out for the Official Christmas #1 single in Blighty, with the former’s “Perfect” (Atlantic) currently ahead on the midweek chart. Over on albums, Eminem’s Revival (Interscope) has shifted 71k combined sales since Friday.

“Perfect,” bolstered by two new versions recently, the first featuring Beyonce and then Andrea Bocelli, is outperforming Eminem on sales and streams.

Einem’s “River” (Interscope), which Sheeran is featured on, is new at #2 and currently ahead on streaming. Two more Eminem tracks are in the Top 40 this week: “In Your Head” starting at #13 and Beyonce collaboration “Walk On Water” rebounding back in at #15.

On the Official Albums Chart, current #1 Revival is 30k sales ahead of closest competitor, Ed Sheeran with ÷ at #2. Eminem has consistently hit #1 in Blighty with his last six studio albums; 2013 release The Marshall Mathers LP 2 hit the top on 143k sales.

The second highest new entry this week looks set to be Linkin Park’s new live album featuring the late Chester Bennington, One More Light – Live (Warner Bros.), at #23.