Another front derailleur question.

[Thatshowiroll]

Can I use a maximum 39 tooth front derailleur with a 44 tooth chain ring?
If I put these two rings together, it looks like there's not much difference in the curve where the derailleur plate moves over the ring.
Anyone with experience with this?

[customfab]

probably, but it might depend on your specific setup.

[Thatshowiroll]

Here's the details. Bike is a 2011 Cannondale Scalpel. I'm looking at changing my 3X9 to a 2X9 by changing the front der and removing the granny gear. My big ring is a FSA 44T.
The front der I'm looking at buying is a SRAM X9 2x10 bottom pull S3 direct mount. The original derailleur is a SRAM X0 3X9. Basically the same except for the difference in chainring capacity.