As the VMA weekend approaches, Eminem and Kanye West's battle for Moonman dominance is picking up.

Jay-Z said he expects Kanye to win 'em all. (He also said wife Beyoncé will sweep her categories — even though West and B are competing for Video of the Year!) 50 Cent said Kanye can't compete with Em because he racks up all the awards. Eminem does have the historical advantage, winning nine Moonmen to West's two. 'Ye has scored more attention for his VMA dramatics in the past than actual trophies, although Slim Shady has had a run-in or two during the big show as well.

But just because they're squaring off doesn't mean there has to be a winner or loser — right?

VMA house-band MC Wale is more democratic about his prediction, saying they'll split the ticket. The iconic rappers are up for Video of the Year, Best Male Video and Best Hip-Hop Video for their "We Made You" and "Love Lockdown" clips. Em's "We Made You" and West's "Paranoid" are also up for Best Special Effects.

"They'll go two-two," Wale told MTV News, saying the rappers will each take home some hardware.

Either way, Wale said Eminem's Relapse and West's 808s & Heartbreak were impressive. He said both projects were a step away from the MCs' past work.

"It's interesting, because both of them kind of went a little left with their recent albums," he said.

The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards air live this Sunday, September 13, at 9 p.m. ET, but New York is celebrating the VMAs all week long! Stay tuned for party coverage, concert reports, behind-the-scenes updates and more.