The honeymoon period is over for Pedro Caixinha and Rangers. The optimism of the previous three weeks came crashing to an end on Saturday after a disappointing draw at home to Motherwell all but ended their hopes of hauling in Aberdeen in second place.They are now ten points behind the Dons and while almost none of that gap is the fault of Caixinha, supporters were still disappointed to see the inconsistent form continue after a bright performance against Hamilton.The fixtures roll on and this week is a big one for the Gers with two away matches likely to make or completely break their league season. Six points from their next two matches against Kilmarnock and Aberdeen are absolute musts, slip up and they should probably start looking below them instead of upwards.The match against Kilmarnock is not going to be easy. Lee McCulloch's side will fancy their chances of getting a result despite the fact that on paper, Rangers should be romping to a win. Why?Here are three reasons why Killie are well placed to pile more misery on the Govan giants...

They've already held Rangers this season

Back when things were way different at Ibrox, they travelled to Rugby Park in August full of optimism for the season ahead. However, even then there were warning signs that this season may not be one full of joy for the Light Blues.

Held to a 1-1 draw at Kilmarnock, Rangers had to come from behind to salvage a point after a Kris Boyd opener. James Tavernier hit the vital free-kick to earn a result although it was a match that the Gers really should have won.

Killie played half an hour with ten men, after a shocking Greg Taylor challenge on Joey Barton, but resisted Warburton's men and managed to hold on for a vital point.

The two sides are surprisingly different heading into this match given we are in the same season but the core of the Killie side that day will take confidence from the early season result and it could play a factor in determining the winner on Wednesday.

Undefeated in three

Kilmarnock actually find themselves in pretty decent form and appear to have more chance of cracking the top six than being relegated, which was a fear of theirs earlier in the season.

With fellow top six contenders Partick Thistle away to Celtic with little hope of a result, a win against Rangers would put them within a point of the top half, giving them a fighting chance of a finance boosting end to the season.

Undefeated in their last three matches, they have two wins, two losses and two defeats in their last six. It's mid-table form for sure, but enough to potentially cause Rangers some problems, especially when you consider they ran Aberdeen very close in one of those defeats.

Can they stake a claim for a top six finish with a scalp of the Gers?

They already know the team

Pedro Caixinha took the bizarre step of naming his side almost 31 hours before kick-off on Tuesday. In a step that will be much discussed in the Scottish media over the next while, the new boss cared little for tradition in Scottish football, revealing the team at a press conference.

Whether it goes down as a stroke of genius or a fatal flaw remains to be seen but it certainly feels like a risk considering there are a few surprises thrown in. The likes of David Bates and Myles Beerman featuring could have thrown Killie off a bit in the lead-up to the match but now they have time to focus on those players in particular and scout for any weaknesses with footage.

It's certainly got people talking anyway. Does this matter? Or is it all about application on the evening?

At least Kilmarnock know exactly what they're up against, in our book that feels like an advantage.