Cmd + W on safari inconsistent?

Sorry if this has been asked before or has an obvious solution, I couldn't find either a reason or solution online when searching for this. ⌘ Command W closes tabs on Safari. The problem is, I don't know which tab it switches focus to after closing a tab. Sometimes it focuses tabs left, sometimes right. Usually when it is doing this, it consistently switches focus *either* left *or* right, but then at times it will seemingly change near the end. I really have no idea why this is happening, and it is *extremely* annoying when trying to close multiple tabs and keep others open, as I can't predict whether it's going to close the tab I want or not when using the shortcut many times quickly. Please if you know the reason / pattern / way I can fix it or alternative solution to closing tabs (even third party is fine, as long as it works *consistently*), I would appreciate it greatly.