If the final result should be 48 i think you should keep that samplerate all the way.. less conversions..
88,2 will give you more depth and clarity in the sound, but im not shure all 3rd party plugins works with that samplerate..but probaly.
If you want to use some samples later on in the project they will play in wrong speed and pitch if you use other samplerate than 44,1, since most samples are made in 44,1. so if there are samples (44,1) involved you have to render them to 48 or 88,2 from 44,1..to convert all project from 44,1 to 48 later on feels like a strange thing to do, but sometimes necessary though.
hope i got it right...