Eminem gets soccer teams psyched

EMINEM is top of the league for kick-starting Premiership soccer teams, a survey has found.

The rapper's soundtrack to the movie 8 Mile is favourite to get sides in the mood as they warm-up in the dressing rooms.

Seven of the 20 top flight teams listed their top pre-match listening in the survey for the Barclaycard Premiership.

It also reveals Manchester United have been listening to Iggy Pop classic Lust for Life used in the movie Trainspotting on the road to this year's title.

Music psychologist Dr Neil Todd, of Manchester University, said psyching up sides to the heavy beats and rhythms of music such as Eminem's Lose Yourself can give players a competitive advantage.

He said: "Eminem's music may play a role rather like the Haka (New Zealand rugby's pre-match custom) in helping players reach an aroused competitive state.

"Some players will be motivated by the determined, repetitive dance rhythms combined with cutting lyrics that are often used around reclaiming pride and self-confidence in the face of difficult circumstances, " he added.

U2 provided the second most popular soundtrack for the dressing room.