Its sales estimates have not enjoyed a significant upward adjustment, but with an expectation of weekly dominance–and the second best sales week of the year–no one will be complaining.
Billboard’s latest data shows that Eminem’s “The Marshall Mathers LP 2” is on track for a bow in the 725-750,000 range. At the high end of the initial 700-750,000 projection, the total is pacing to mirror the 741,000 debut frame for predecessor “Recovery.”
With a debut above 700,000 all but certain, “MMLP2” will lay instant claim to the year’s second best debut. Only Justin Timberlake’s “The 20/20 Experience Part 1,” which sold 968,000, started better.
It will also maintain staggering distance from the week’s number two album. Celine Dion’s “Loved Me Back to Life,” that album, looks set to move 80,000.
Pacing for just 40,000, Avril Lavigne’s self-titled release will be the slowest seller of her career. It still, however, looks safe for a bow in the top ten.
Pentatonix’s “PTV, Volume 2,” pacing to move 28,000, will be the week’s next-strongest new release.
